A wide-ranging coalition of law enforcement and school leaders today proposed what they're calling a $120 million, "common sense approach" to keeping students safe in school.
"There's been enough talking," said Mark Reene, prosecuting attorney for Tuscola County. "Our kids' lives are on the line. It's time for a change."
Here's what they're proposing:
- Equip schools with better access on site to police officers from local agencies trained to work in schools.
- Equip schools with better access to mental health professionals.
- Help schools make their buildings safer and harder for gunmen to attack.
- Make it mandatory to report threats to law enforcement
The proposals were made during a Thursday morning press conference at Holt High School in Ingham County.
The proposals come more than a month after the Feb. 14 school shootings in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 students and adults dead. And it also comes in the wake of a steady stream of threats to local schools that have forced lockdowns and even closures in some cases.
Those who spoke at the press conference say they will need to work with lawmakers in the Michigan Legislature to make their proposals a reality — including the proposal to provide more than $100 million in grant funding for schools to hire additional resource officers and mental health professionals.
Among the organizations part of the press conference and coalition: Michigan Sheriffs Association, Michigan Association of School Administrators, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of School Psychologists, Michigan Association of School Social Workers, Michigan School Counselors Association, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan.
Contact Lori Higgins: 313-222-6651, lhiggins@freepress.com or @LoriAHiggins
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