As a concerned parent who's experienced the distress of witnessing student altercations spiraling out of control in our school's parking lots after school, I feel compelled to demand a change in the interest of our children's safety. Multiple fights among students have become a habitual occurrence in these areas. This week alone, we experienced numerous violent confrontations, an alarming fact made all the more horrifying as parents and grandparents looked on helplessly, without any professional assistance to control these brawls and protect our students.

The issue is not isolated to our school. The National Center for Education Statistics found that in 2017, 5.8% of students reported being afraid of attack or harm at school or on the way to and from school. The presence of law enforcement or school staff can deter these violent incidents ensuring the safety of our children (National Center for Education Statistics, 2017).

We cannot let our children be at risk any longer. This is a call to our local school district and police department to mandate the presence of law enforcement or school staff in the student parking lot before and after school hours. By doing so, we can provide a safer environment for our children, helping them reach their parents and cars safely. It's beyond time to take action for our children's safety. Please, sign this petition so we can push for a future where our children don't have to fear their own school.