PIEDMONT — The City Council at its Monday meeting received a comprehensive report from police Chief Jeremy Bowers on the duties of a possible school resource officer (SRO), but no decision will be made until a host of public meetings are held to gather input.
The police department received a $391,599 grant from the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act that would fund an SRO for three years. An armed, sworn SRO would serve many roles on campus: as a counselor, social worker and teacher partnering in classrooms with Piedmont school teachers, in addition to any law enforcement role.
Superintendent Randy Booker of the Piedmont Unified School District cited statistics from the Healthy Kids Survey of 2017-18 that showed a low percentage of high school students — 20 to 40 percent — felt they were listened to at school or that a trusted adult was available to talk to. Booker said vaping at school, alcohol or marijuana use also were problems at times on campus.
“We have issues we need to address. We need more adults on campus. I am quick to dial 911 (if there is a problem). We need to develop a stronger and safer connection. This is one step to break a cycle,” Booker said.
“Kids are out of control with social media communication devices. There are social media threats (made to students or others)” Booker added.
Bowers acknowledged police have responded to several hundred calls for assistance since he became chief four years ago. Two speakers at the meeting had concerns about an SRO.
“I do not support a school resource officer. It could have negative consequences (particularly for students of color). We want to provide a safe and nurturing environment at school. Is this an ideal solution?” asked Tonda Case, co-president of the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee.
Sunny Bostrom-Fleming feels that in a crisis at school such as a shooting, teachers would be the first line of defense, perhaps should be armed and that video cameras should be installed in classrooms.
Bowers said if an SRO were approved, he or she would have many hours of specialized training.
“We have officers on staff now who could possibly fill that role,” Bowers said.
Bowers added that the SRO would serve numerous purposes including helping with emergency preparedness, restorative justice, athletics supervision and dealing with hate-motivated incidents.
Numerous meetings are planned to gather input as to the possibility. Those include parent clubs, student and staff engagement, the school board and the City Council.
City staff will return to council on Feb. 19 to share details of the meetings; Piedmont Unified staff will return to the school board on Feb. 27 to share details. A final report is due in April. If the SRO is approved, the officer would begin at the start of the 2019-20 school year in August. Many area school districts have SROs, including Fremont, Dublin, Mount Diablo, New Haven, San Ramon Valley and El Cerrito.