Rockville, Maryland Mar 11, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - On Tuesday, March 15, Montgomery County leaders will gather in Rockville for a forum discussing school safety and the role of school resource officers (SROs). At state and local levels, the debate over whether to remove SROs from public schools has been an ongoing conversation. In August 2021, Montgomery County became the first and only county in Maryland to completely remove SROs from its public schools.
New data presented to the Montgomery County Council in February showed Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) called the Emergency Communications Center 1,688 times during the first four months of the school year-- from August 31 to December. 31 2021. A growing number of people have demanded the return of school resource officers amid a violent academic year, which peaked during the Magruder High School shooting on January 21.
There is a need to discuss both sides of the School Resource Officer debate. Although the national rhetoric against SROs is poignant, what is the story in Montgomery County, and do we have the same narrative here? As parents and local leaders strive to halt the pipeline of misinformation about SROs, they are also interested in understanding the role of SROs in light of civil liberties.
This forum aims at providing a more in-depth discussion on school resource officers and the future of safety in our public schools. It will feature a former member of the Montgomery County Board of Education (Mike Durso), a current school resource officer from Baltimore County (Don Bridges), the director of the Community Engagement Division of the Montgomery County Police Department (Captain Stacey Flynn), and an MCPS parent advocate (Marvin Dickerson).
One organizer, Dana Noga, notes, "I am a parent of Magruder High School students and remain scared about the future safety of my kids. I think that it is important that parents understand the relationship between students and SROs and how that relationship can help prevent future school-based shootings."
An MCPS parent, Colleen Roux, states, "This forum will help clear up the confusion arising from arguments against having SROs in our schools. I look forward to hearing the discussion on the crucial relationship between SROs and students."
The forum is being organized by Community Partners for Public Safety Inc, a Maryland-based nonpartisan group of concerned parents and community leaders. The program will commence at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 15 at Baronessa Italian Restaurant [1302 East Gude Drive | Rockville, Maryland 20850].
Key Details: Safe Schools, Safe Communities: The Role of School Resource Officers in Montgomery County Public Schools
- Date: Tuesday, March 15
- Time: Doors Open at 5:30 PM (Attendees are encouraged to order dinner and drinks prior to the start of the program);
Free Program starts at 7 PM - Venue: Baronessa Italian Restaurant [1302 East Gude Drive | Rockville, Maryland 20850]
- Panelists:
o Mike Durso, a former member of the Montgomery County Board of Education
o Don Bridges, a current school resource officer from Baltimore County
o Captain Stacey Flynn, director of the Community Engagement Division of the Montgomery County Police Department
o Marvin Dickerson, MCPS parent advocate
Media Contact
DANA L NOGA rsvpsafeschools@gmail.com 3017068937 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-role-of-school-resource-officers-in-montgomery-county-public-schools-tickets-2910244108
