RCSD To Start Year With 6 Uniformed RPD Officers Outside Some Schools
Written by Tariq on August 25, 2023
Board of Education members approved a measure that would put six uniformed Rochester Police Department officers outside certain schools within the Rochester City School District at arrival and dismissal, once school begins on Sept. 6. It’s a move that district officials said is aimed at providing a more secure environment for students.
According to the board’s budget estimate, adding uniformed officers outside certain schools during arrival and dismissal would cost nearly $848,000 — an action Superintendent Carmine Peluso said is worth it, if it means assuring the safety of students. During the board meeting, Peluso said, “It will keep six police officers at various locations at our schools depending on what data and information we receive.”
While It’s unclear which schools will have the outside police presence, RCSD instructional coach Dawn Flowers Thompson believes the district should take a different approach.
“I don’t want our children feeling more policed. Their lives are filled with police. If the officers are interested, then officers should come into the classrooms and build real relationships with the students,” Thompson said.
Source: WHEC-TV
