Parents Demand Increased School Police Presence Amidst Safety Concerns
At a recent LA News Center board meeting, parents voiced their urgent plea for an increased police presence on school campuses, citing a surge in violent incidents since the district’s 2020 decision to slash its school police budget.
Escalating Incidents Raise Alarm
Maria Luisa Palma, a concerned parent, painted a grim picture of the deteriorating safety situation. She reported an alarming rise in shootings, firearms-related incidents, stabbings, and reports of drug use at LAUSD schools. The safety of students, she emphasized, was at a critical juncture.
Palma highlighted several specific incidents, including the fatal April shooting near Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles. She emphasized that such tragedies left no choice but to reinstate school police.
Underrepresented Voices Feel Silenced
Beyond the safety concerns, Palma expressed frustration that parents, particularly those from the Latino community, felt underrepresented and dismissed.
“The parent voices are not being heard, and we are sick and tired of not being included in this conversation,” she said, adding that they had filed a petition and presented signatures at the meeting.
Palma’s concerns echoed those of other parents in attendance, who expressed a deep sense of being disregarded and ignored by the district.
Law Enforcement Backs Parental Concerns
The parents’ concerns were met with support from school law enforcement officials, who shared their own observations of the alarming decline in campus safety.
Gil Gamez, President of the Los Angeles School Police Association, stated that the district’s experiment with reducing police funding had failed miserably.
“They have been using impromptu security companies to replace police officers on campus,” Gamez said, “but these individuals are not trained, have no authority, and don’t know how to handle these situations.”
Gamez recounted a recent incident at Washington Prep, where three security guards stood idly by during a fight that led to a fatal shooting. “There was video of [one of the guards] saying ‘I’m not going to do anything; call the police to handle it’,” Gamez said.
Next Steps and the Urgency of Action
As the meeting adjourned, Palma expressed hope that the district would finally listen to their concerns and prioritize the safety of students.
“We want to talk, that’s what we want,” she said. “All we can do now is wait and see how the district responds.”
However, the parents emphasized that they would not remain silent. Their voices, they vowed, would continue to be heard until their children’s well-being was secured.
As the situation continues to unfold, the LA News Center remains committed to bringing updates and perspectives from all parties involved. The safety of our schools and the well-being of our students are paramount, and we will continue to monitor and report on the efforts to address these urgent concerns.
