A grassroots group in Los Angeles is pushing for a return of police officers to school campuses as violent incidents have nearly doubled since police were removed following the George Floyd protests. While progressive groups advocate for abolishing school police, parents argue that the absence of officers has created a dangerous environment.
In the wake of the George Floyd protests in 2020, calls to defund the police reverberated across the nation. In Los Angeles, the school district removed police officers from campuses, a decision that has since sparked controversy due to a sharp increase in violence.
A grassroots group called the Parents Advisory Committee (PAC) is leading the charge to bring police back to schools. Maria Luisa Palma, a member of the committee, initiated an independent petition in February calling for the return of police officers. The petition has garnered over 2,500 signatures from parents across the city.
"We've seen a huge increase from our kids," Palma told Fox News Digital. "We hear constantly how there are fights and open drug use in the bathrooms. We see the proof in the data … so we have more clear information. This is out of control as we hear from our kids."
According to district data, violent incidents in LA schools have nearly doubled since 2021. In the 2018-2019 school year, there were 2,315 violent incidents. That number rose to 4,569 in 2022-2023.
The increase in violence has sparked concerns among parents who believe that the removal of police officers has left schools vulnerable. "We need police officers in schools to keep our kids safe," said one parent at a recent school board meeting. "They are the only ones who can effectively respond to emergencies and prevent violence."
However, progressive groups such as Students Deserve continue to oppose the return of police to schools. They argue that the presence of police officers on campus creates a hostile and intimidating environment, particularly for Black and brown students.
"We want schools to divest from criminalization and policing," the Students Deserve website states. "We want schools to invest in us as Black, Muslim, undocumented, indigenous, and queer youth in poor and working class communities of color."
The LA School District Board voted to remove police officers from schools in February 2021. The board has not yet indicated whether a return of police officers is being considered in its new safety plan.
Parents and community members are urging the board to reconsider its decision and prioritize the safety of students. "This is not a question of whether or not the district has funds to fully fund a functioning police department," Palma said. "It is a political statement to appease the defund the police movement."
The debate over school police is expected to continue as the school board weighs the safety concerns of parents against the social justice arguments of progressive groups.
