Consistent Visible Security Presence at Schools Provides Public Reassurance

On Oct. 9, parents learned there were uninvited vehicles at one of our primary schools, and that staff had to intervene to remove them from the premises. Parents were notified about a security protocol and that police were notified.
This incident raised concerns about security in many people’s minds. Parents came to speak to the board at the following board meeting on Oct 14. They voiced concerns about not being able to tell if security was onsite.

This has been an issue in the past, and I was very vocal when the mayor offered on duty uniformed officers to man all schools. People noted that the superintendent met the concern with defensiveness. Parents were simply stating a fact that if security was present, they were not readily recognized. While there may be some benefit of having some security not disclosing their whereabouts, there is definitely merit to having consistent visible security presence, like one of the parents requested. The deterrence by visible presence of security is very important in preventing any potential external threat.

As a resident and former law enforcement officer myself, I understand parents' concern. I appreciated BOE member Lucy Li’s respect for the parents’ comments and empathy. Her comments of “We have a shared vision of a secure school district” builds consensus and reassurance of commitment to school security. “There is benefit in consistent visible security presence, in deterrence of potential criminals and reassurance of the public." Her understanding and support for security is needed from the board.

I hope you will join me in supporting Lucy Li’s reelection to the BOE. I will be voting for the slate of Lucy Li, Maxwell and Nye in Column D, to whom a safe school environment is a shared vision.