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October 19, 2007
Keeping Our Schools Safe
Dear Friends:
Our children must have safe schools where they can learn and develop, free from the distractions caused by a few troublemakers.
That is why I am proud to propose in my 2008 City Budget an expansion of the School Security Partnership. This proven program currently exists in school districts across the country, in urban and suburban communities alike, and it puts School Resource Officers (SROs) in high schools. SROs are police officers who work in coordination with school officials to increase safety in the classroom. These are specially trained officers who want to work with young people and are well-versed in the issues that uniquely impact teenage high school students.
The program is currently in operation in two Milwaukee High Schools – Bradley Tech and Custer High School – and has created enormous success in reducing incidents and creating a calmer, safer environment to help our students excel in the classroom. After School Resource Officers were introduced, Custer saw a 25% decrease in personal safety suspensions, and Bradley Tech experienced a 42% decline. And calls for police service also fell dramatically at both locations after SROs were introduced – evidence that School Resource Officers are able to diffuse situations and maintain control before things escalate.
Not only has the School Security Partnership made both Custer and Bradley Tech safer, the initiative has strengthened and improved police relations with young people. In a survey at Custer High School conducted by MPS before and after the introduction of SROs, the number of students who stated they could trust the police, would cooperate with police and felt the School Safety Partnership successfully improved day to day safety all increased.
My plan will split the costs 50/50 between the City and MPS to expand the School Security Partnership to between four and ten new Milwaukee high schools in the calendar year 2008. Whether we are able to bring SROs to ten schools depends on whether the State Budget invests in local communities through Shared Revenue. I am hopeful State Legislators will increase this aid so we can make more Milwaukee high schools safer.
The School Security Partnership is endorsed by MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos, Police Chief Nan Hegerty, many members of the Milwaukee School Board, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, and many teachers, principals and parents. In an editorial on September 24th entitled Safety = Learning, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote, "School resource officers can enhance the atmosphere of learning in MPS."
The School Safety Partnership will make schools across Milwaukee safer, and give our students a better opportunity to excel in the classroom. I am proud to make it a priority in my 2008 City Budget.
Sincerely,
Mayor, City of Milwaukee
Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor |