Testimony: Exploring Non-Law Enforcement Alternatives to Meeting Community Needs
Virtually all of the children and youth Children’s Law Center represents are Black and Brown, and many of them routinely interact with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in school, at home, and in their communities. As our community works to reimagine what a safe and positive school environment looks like, we believe that the involvement of youth voices, educators, parents, administrators, and school staff is fundamental to ensuring an effective transition to police-free schools. That’s why Policy Attorney Danielle Robinette submitted testimony to the DC Council’s Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety recommending that the Committee, as well as DC’s traditional Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public charter schools, continue to engage these key constituent groups and use their expertise to address concerns and suggestions that arise. In order to achieve the goal of police-free schools, we recommend that the District divest from all policing methods in schools and simultaneously invest in the supports and programming needed to create a safe school climate.
Read her testimony here: