DPS Heralds New Safety Partnership, Plan
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Emergency Manager for the Detroit Public Schools says safety is the number one problem facing the district.
Roy Roberts made that comments, Wednesday, while unveiling a new "six-pronged" plan designed to keep kids safe in the classroom.
"In order for students to concentrate on academics and in order for parents to commit to sending their children to Detroit Public Schools, we have to ensure that our school buildings, school campuses and the neighborhoods surrounding our schools are safe," said Roberts, in a statement.
"This unprecedented partnership between DPS, the City of Detroit, the Detroit Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and our citizens, coupled with the enormous investment we have made in safety infrastructure such as cameras, alarms and new security entrances, will vastly improve safety in and around our schools," he said.
DPS says the partnership includes broad and in-depth strategies, including enhanced security and improved cameras, alarms and visitor monitoring technology on school campuses; newly defined safe routes to three schools deemed hot spots, which will include heightened multi-agency patrols; crime data analysis and registered sex offender locations shared among agencies; crime prevention strategies developed among departments based on data analysis; youth character development training for officers; social media analysis to identify burgeoning problems; and expanded citizen patrols through a Call to Action for more volunteers to patrol in and around schools.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Vickie Thomas spoke with Detroit City Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins.
"There is a more concerted effort now, I believe, than ever between the City of Detroit and Detroit Public Schools as it relates to dangerous buildings around the schools and the planning, in general, for public schools and security," said Jenkins.
Mayor Dave Bing expressed his support for the plan, saying they have to use more resources to keep these kids safe.
"And let these young people know that we care about them, we love them, and we're here to protect them," Bing said.
