Measured Responses: Why increasing law enforcement in schools is not an effective public safety response to the Newtown tragedy
Published: December 22, 2012
In light of the horrific school shootings this month in Newtown, Connecticut, some have called for increasing armed police presence in schools.
School safety should be a priority: it is not only important for protecting the physical well-being of students, teachers, and staff, but also for maintaining a productive learning environment.
However, as our research report, Education Under Arrest showed, having law enforcement in schools is not the best nor most cost-effective way to achieve those goals; this also can result in more youth becoming involved in the juvenile justice system for often minor misbehavior, with a lifetime of negative effects.
For comment from JPI, please email Zerline Hughes at zhughes@justicepolicy.org or call 617.596.6958.