During this time many people are complaining that the Chicago Police aren’t doing what they should on the public’s behalf. Especially, when it comes to making sure students are safe while leaving, entering, and attending school. On February 22nd, 2024 The Chicago Board of Education unanimously voted to remove CPD Resource Officers from inside the public schools of Chicago.
There will be a new safety model developed in place of the use of resource officers.
Pushback Against CPD
The removal of CPD police in public schools has been a very divisive subject among CPS. Those against it have attempted to emphasize how it’s not very beneficial for students or teachers.
By reallocating funds currently administered to the CPD, schools can invest in essential resources that greatly benefit students’ education. According to sources, schools are spending roughly $180k per officer a school year. This is money that could be used to fund better meals, mental health care, remodeling of school buildings, programs, and better school supplies.
While many schools feel like CPD should be removed for the next school year, some don’t. For example, Michelle Clark High School in the Austin area voted to keep police presence during the 2024-25 school year. However, June 27th, 2025 is when the Chicago Board of Education will tally the final votes.
Board President, Jianan Shi, elaborated a bit about how they plan to go about this for the Chicago Public Schools. Shi stated that the schools that willingly participated in the programs would be allowed to create their own safety programs. Also, they will be fully funded for their plans.
Students have also been advocating against CPD resource officer presences in schools as well. For example, a student at the Hyde Park Academy, Makayla Acevedo had spoken about the issue. She stated, ” We want to get cops out of the school building so we can get the programs that we need,”.
Upcoming School Year
The Chicago School Board heard the communities’ complaints and how students and residents alike aren’t particularly comfortable with so much police presence. As of now, there are 16 Schools with at least two officers and another 23 with just one.
CPD won’t be inside the building anymore. Instead, they’ll be outside around the building. Dedication to keeping students safe remains even with the change of location. Though they won’t patrol inside they still will be on duty to protect. The situation has been something everyone agrees on.
Mayor Johnson says he supports the removal of Chicago Police from school in the upcoming school year. An interview was held with the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ on Tuesday. Mayor Johnson will give the Board of Education the green to end the $10.3 million contract with the CPD. CPS has started to let school principals know to be looking forward to the possible removal of police officers this upcoming fall.
Past Situations
Some Students believe this situation should take place because certain situations have happened and continue to happen. Such as gun violence, distribution of drugs, and intense and sometimes physical bullying. For example, three different shootings have happened near Chicago Public Schools. Sadly, the most recent shooting had left a 16-year-old deceased as well as two other students wounded.
Another shooting was near CICS Loomis-Longwood on the south side of Chicago. Finally, another took place right as students were walking out of the school doors of Innovation High School. The Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling weighed in on the frequent tragedies. Snelling said that this is cause for police presence to be more frequent around the public schools.
He stated, “Across the districts, across the entire city, we will make sure that we have police presence at dismissal, and at time that students arriving at school,”.
Although police presence won’t be inside the Chicago public schools, they will still be around nearby. Having a more apparent police presence around the schools in the CPS district can actively combat violence before it happens. Through the threat of getting caught before it can even already happen.
Written by Genesis Nichols
Sources
CBS News – Chicago Board of Education votes to remove Chicago police officers from schools, officials say by Sabrina Franza and Marissa Perlman
WTTW News – CPS Board Approves Plan to Remove Resource Officers From Schools by Matt Masterson
Police 1 – Chicago board of education unanimously votes to end CPD contract, remove SROs by Alysa Guffey, Sarah Macaraeg and Zareen Syed
CBS News – After three deadly shootings near Chicago schools, what will be done to protect communities?
Featured Image Courtesy of Bob Dass’ Flickr – Creative Commons
Inset Image Courtesy of Don Harder’s Flickr – Creative Commons
