Loud Voice Against Police In Schools

I will remain one of the “loud voices” against additional police in schools.

One can support more police in schools, but to wonder out loud why anyone would be against it demonstrates a concerning lack of research on the topic.

So here is going to be an unusual article coming from me.

I support Dr. Varley’s decision not to make systemic changes to how security is handled because the school gets “free stuff”. That’s not how this works – otherwise people with the most money and connections would be running the country and systems would be designed with only their concerns in mind….oh wait.

That does not mean I agree with her overall approach to safety, but she was absolutely right on that call.

Something I would ask that you consider.

If you were angry about DEI because it lacked evidence while demanding more police in schools, then your opposition to DEI wasn’t about evidence. Because if evidence guides your thinking about decision-making in schools, then DEI is an easy solution – there is evidence that it works- my criticism has always been that we need to use the tools to ensure how we are doing it works. If evidence matters to you, then the evidence surrounding security theatre in schools paints a picture that should concern you more -again- if evidence is really what you care about.

When confronted with the evidence, I often hear “well I have personal experience that it works”. That’s fair, I have many personal and professional experiences where it went terribly wrong.

That’s why evidence and data are important.

Aside from the discussion on evidence, suppose you believe that families should have a voice in policy decisions affecting students and think the community should discuss big decisions before they are made. In that case, you should have no problem applying that standard to this issue. Right?

That discussion should start with a simple question.

What problem would Berkeley Heights solve by adding more police in our schools?

Please show me evidence of the problem and then show me the data that demonstrates police are the best solution to that problem.

If that evidence cannot be provided, you should better understand why loud voices are asking questions about adding more police in schools.

This shouldn’t be a campaign pitting one side against another with a winner takes all outcome – although I’m sure it will end that way and I and others will again be on the losing side of that coin toss. It shouldn’t be “some parents are angry about how we handled a safety thing lets just put more police in schools”, but if history is any indicator – that’s how this will go down.

Safety should involve a discussion where people with children in our schools genuinely come together to work out a livable solution – but good luck with that, right?

If you support police in schools, I am willing to work with you – are you ready to slow down and work with me?

Here is my article explaining (again) why I and other parents, who share my perspective are not supportive of police in schools – UNPOPULAR OPINION ON SCHOOL SAFETY