These recommendations present a comprehensive and transformative vision for the future. We offer recommendations based on the insights and expertise of various community organizations, incorporating research and best practices while uplifting the ideas and initiatives that are already making a positive impact in the lives of our youth.
Following the recent/past school shootings in Denver Public Schools (DPS) and the subsequent creation of the “DPS Safety Plan 2.0” by Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, while well-meaning it firmly misses the mark for true safety and wellbeing for all DPS students and staff. The Task Force to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety, has reviewed the DPS safety plan and firmly says “No to DPS Safety Plan 2.0!” However, as a body of community members, students, parents and policing professionals we fully understand the psychology that went into creating such a plan that further lends itself to less “safe” and continued traumatizing behavior to our children and staff while missing valuable opportunities to embrace peer informed safety by staff and students alike.
Reintroducing Resources Officers permanently on the surface provides a false sense of “security and safety.” This decision which was unilaterally done by the Superintendent neglected the role of the duly elected DPS Board of Education, students and parents, highlights the need for a “Reimagining of School Policing, Safety and Awareness” in DPS. Taking a survey after a highly traumatizing event led to bad data on which this plan was created. All surveys prior to the East high tragedy and the subsequent evaluations resulted in a reduction of ticketing and summons for black and brown students into the judicial system and less stressful learning environment.
Upon reviewing Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero’s DPS safety plan, the Denver Task Force to Reimagine Policing and Public Safety created a special sub-committee consisting of youth, educators, and safety experts in school safety whose sole purpose was to develop recommendations for DPS that embody a “Community-centered approach” to school safety, while also outlining how it should be prioritized. The Recommendations presented in the report offer crucial perspectives on creating “safe” environments for all students including our mentally challenged, special education children, black and brown students and any other youth who have traditionally been the beneficiaries of archaic policing policies in DPS that equate to cycle of racism, neglect and abuse found in DPS by the nationally recognized DPS commissioned “Bailey Report” on DPS schools. In the Task Force Subcommittee recommendations, we present a comprehensive and transformative vision for the future. We offer recommendations based on the insights and expertise of various community organizations, incorporating research and best practices while uplifting the ideas and initiatives that are already making a positive impact in the lives of our youth. We are reminded that safety is fostered in equitable systems by taking the time to develop balanced relationships, continuously creating belonging, and making meaningful changes that support the most marginalized.
Please go to Denver www.denvertaskforce.org to read our full Reimagined DPS school safety recommendations to DPS for inclusive meaningful safe schools for everyone.
