In Minot, ND, the safety of our children is at the forefront of our community's concerns. As a parent of a young boy with autism, I know firsthand the unique challenges that children with disabilities face. My son, like many others on the autism spectrum, struggles to understand the dangers of running into the road. This peril is compounded by the lack of fenced boundaries in many of our elementary schools.

In addition to my son's safety risks, there was a deeply unsettling incident at my daughter's school where strangers were in their cars or would walk by and look at the kids.  This has raised alarms about the pressing need for enhanced security measures in our schools to prevent potential kidnappings or harmful interactions with unknown individuals.

The need for enclosed fences around elementary school playgrounds and outdoor areas is not merely a precaution but an urgent necessity. Children with autism and other disabilities often have an impaired sense of danger and may inadvertently wander or run into unsafe areas. An enclosed fence acts as a simple yet effective barrier that can prevent such occurrences, providing peace of mind for parents and teachers alike.

Moreover, fences would serve as a deterrent to unauthorized individuals gaining easy access to school grounds. This added security measure is paramount, not just for children with disabilities but for the safety of all students. The current open-access nature of our school playgrounds makes it alarmingly easy for potential wrongdoers, and this must change.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 7 million U.S. students receive special education services, which amount to 14 percent of all public-school students. Among these, more than 20% have autism or other developmental conditions. This highlights the importance of creating safer environments that cater specifically to the needs of these children.

I am urging the Minot Public School District and local government officials to prioritize the construction of enclosed fences around all elementary schools in our area. We must act swiftly to safeguard our children from preventable dangers and enhance the security of our educational environments.

Please join me in calling for a proactive approach to children's safety in Minot—before any more incidents occur. Sign this petition to demand that our schools become safe havens for all children, ensuring they have the protection they deserve.