Sacrificing Safety for Political Points: The Aftermath of Limiting SROs
The DFL has really done it this time. Do you remember our coverage of Democrats limiting the abilities of Student Resource Officers (SROs) in schools? Well, everything we said would happen has already started.
Many police departments that have pulled their officers from schools altogether over the ambiguous new rule changes. It’s not hard to see why they would have to do this. In recent years, police officers have been experiencing an all-time low unpopularity, especially among those on the left following the ‘defund the police’ movement. The DFL party has made it no secret that they will be a thorn in the side of the police, ready to capitalize on anything for some quick political points. What’s concerning is that this time they’re prepared to sacrifice the safety of students.
Here are just a few schools and their districts that have pulled their SROs:
Oh yeah, and we’re still facing a rising trend in violent crime.
Republicans are demanding a special legislative session to address the ambiguity surrounding the new rules and discuss the potential long-term consequences. This is the standard protocol for lawmakers when grappling with significant policy changes. However, the DFL party has been dragging its feet on the matter. Governor Tim Walz insists that the language of the law is clear enough and that a special session is unnecessary. But, as the situation on the ground indicates, clarity is desperately needed. But Walz might’ve also declined a special session because it would conflict with his trip to Japan. Priorities, Governor!
The heart of the issue lies in the safety of Minnesota's students. With the SRO program suspension, concerns about their vulnerability have reached a critical point. Not only could a student face harm from an outside threat, they could easily be harmed by another student. Last week a fight broke out at Mankato East High School that caused the school to go into lockdown and police were called.
Our criticism is directed towards the DFL's reluctance to address the situation head-on, which appears to be rooted in their desire to demonstrate commitment to the "defund the police'' movement. However, we firmly believe that this is not the time for political posturing. The safety of Minnesota's children should not be used as a pawn in a political game.
The current standoff in Minnesota's political landscape is a clear example of how legislative decisions can have tangible, real-world consequences. While debates over policy are essential, they should not come at the cost of student safety. It’s disheartening that DFL can’t set aside political agendas and provide the reassurance and safety these students deserve.