KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE, REPLACE POLICE WITH STUDENT SUPPORTS

Act Now

All children deserve to learn in a school environment that allows them to thrive. Yet, every Maryland school district has police in schools despite evidence that police presence criminalizes students for minor behaviors.

There is no room for police in our schools.

Police in schools don’t address serious safety threats. And they needlessly perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline and entangle children in the legal justice system at a young age.

There is no reliable evidence that police in schools keep students and educators safe or that they reduce school shootings or other violence. The impact of police in schools is overwhelmingly negative, especially for Black students. The presence of school police make Black students feel less safe.

If Maryland redirected the $10 million per year it currently invests in school police, it could support districts to successfully implement these proven restorative justice measures that improve safety for all.

Removing police from schools is one of five demands of the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police accountability, a large, diverse, statewide coalition of over 90 organizations working to reimagine policing in Maryland.

Take action to keep Maryland schools safe by replacing police with student supports. Tell your legislators to pass both Counselors Not Cops (HB 496 and forthcoming Senate bill) and Police-Free Schools (HB 1089 and forthcoming Senate bill) this legislative session.

Message Recipients:
Maryland State Delegates and Senators

KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE, REPLACE POLICE WITH STUDENT SUPPORTS. Image shows a police officer standing over two students. The image is dark yellow and navy blue and is stylize with a lined treatment.
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Your Message
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Dear Maryland Delegates and Senators,

All children deserve to learn in a school environment that allows them to thrive. Schools should be an opportunity to grow. There is no room for police in our schools.

As your constituent, I urge you to replace police with effective student supports. Pass both Counselors Not Cops (HB 496 and forthcoming Senate bill) and Police-Free Schools (HB 1089 and forthcoming Senate bill) this legislative session.

The police’s presence inside of our public schools is ineffective and unnecessary. Data has shown that police presence does not reduce school shootings or other violence in schools. In fact, the presence of police has a negative effect on Black students and students with disabilities.

Black students in Maryland receive 56% of school arrests despite being only a third of the student population, and even though Black students misbehave at the same rate as their peers. We cannot allow the discrimination and racism that exists in policing to extend to our schools.

I urge you to remove police officers from our children’s schools and reallocate those resources that will truly improve safety for all and help them flourish.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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