And schools shifted some $3.2 million back to policing alternatives such as deans, security guards and mental health programs. The school district trimmed its payments to the Chicago Police Department - still a controversial practice in itself - from $33 million in 2020 to $11 million this year. In the past two years, the number of officers assigned to work inside Chicago schools has been cut by a third and their role drastically scaled back. He recommended removing officers because he wasn’t sure they were onboard with his vision. The principal wants all teachers and staff to focus on de-escalating violence and healing. Goode STEM Academy, there are no police officers in the sprawling building in the South Side’s Ashburn neighborhood. But he no longer responds to most in-school incidents, even serious ones.Īt Sarah E. He gives advice to students and parents about police matters. Hyde Park Academy High School’s officer helps monitor arrival and dismissal of students, making sure no outsiders are around to make trouble. And staff don’t think about asking him to intervene in incidents.
He’s bored so often that he recently talked to the principal about coaching baseball to fill his time. The uniformed Chicago police officer who works at Gage Park High School sits in an office most days with nothing to do.
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