The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) has been without a police liaison program for over four years, but some say it’s needed now more than ever.
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A motion was introduced during Thursday’s police board meeting proposing its return, something city councillor Esther Pauls says is warranted given the current climate of rising youth crime and violence throughout the city.
“The motion would basically say for our chief to look into ways which we can bring policing back into schools, so students can get to know the police, to work together,” Pauls said, something Hamilton’s police chief Frank Bergen said he was open to.
“I welcome the opportunity to consider ways in which to advance, between the Hamilton Police Service and the HWDSB, but will not impose on a decision that the school board made back in June of 2020,” he said.
The police liaison program was scrapped by the board after feedback from the community.
“We heard from students directly, that they wanted their school to be a place of education and a place of care where they can come and turn off the outside world,” HWDSB Chair, and Ward 3 Trustee, Maria Felix Miller said.
“Many of the recent events that are affecting our schools happen in our community, so having a police liaison program would not address that concern,” she added.
However, Pauls says we the community needs police in schools. “The tragedy on the Linc last week, where a teen died in a crash after a car chase in a school parking lot is a sad reminder.”