Students deserve schools that are safe, supportive, and prepared.

We, the undersigned parents, students, educators, community leaders, faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, and concerned residents, urge the Edmonds School District Board of Directors to reinstate a modernized School Resource Officer (SRO) Program as part of a broader school safety strategy.

This is not a call to return to the past without accountability or reflection.

This is a call to move forward with a better model — one focused on prevention, relationship-building, de-escalation, student support, and school safety.

Across the country, communities are grappling with increasing concerns about youth violence, school threats, mental health crises, and campus safety. Edmonds School District is not immune to these challenges.

Data provided by the Lynnwood Police Department and analyzed by The ACCESS Project shows that after the SRO program ended, school-related police activity increased across three Edmonds School District schools in Lynnwood during the comparison years reviewed.

According to the report:

• Case reports increased from 49 to 91 — an increase of 85.7%
• Calls for service increased from 373 to 437 — an increase of 17.2%
• Arrests increased from 7 to 14 — a 100% increase

The largest increases occurred at the middle school level.

At Meadowdale Middle School:

• Case reports increased by 283%
• Calls for service increased by 118%
• Arrests increased by 200%

At College Place Middle School:

• Arrests increased from 0 to 3

This data does not prove that removing SROs caused every increase. However, it does show that the years without SROs were associated with higher levels of school-related police activity in these schools.

That should concern every parent, educator, student, and community member.

We believe Edmonds School District can implement a modern, accountable SRO program that:

• Helps protect students and staff during threats, emergencies, and crises
• Builds positive and trusted relationships between students and law enforcement
• Supports prevention, early intervention, and de-escalation
• Works alongside counselors, behavioral health professionals, administrators, and community organizations
• Clearly separates school discipline from law enforcement responsibilities
• Requires specialized training in adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, cultural responsiveness, and conflict de-escalation
• Operates with transparency, accountability, and clear oversight

We recognize that concerns have been raised in the past about how some SRO programs may negatively impact students. Those concerns deserve to be heard and addressed through better policies, stronger safeguards, and improved training.

But concerns alone should not prevent action when students, families, and staff are asking for stronger safety measures.

This petition is not against mental health support, restorative practices, or equity-focused approaches.

We support those efforts.

We simply believe school safety should include multiple layers of support and protection — including trained School Resource Officers who are present, approachable, and prepared to respond when needed.

Our students deserve schools where they feel safe.
Our staff deserve workplaces where safety is taken seriously.
Our families deserve confidence that the District is listening to both community concerns and real-world data.

We respectfully urge the Edmonds School District Board of Directors to:

• Reinstate a modernized School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
• Establish clear safeguards, training requirements, and accountability measures
• Include community oversight and transparency
• Make SROs part of a broader safety strategy that also includes mental health support, prevention, restorative practices, and community partnerships
• Begin implementation as soon as possible, even if through a pilot program

Now is the time for thoughtful, balanced, and decisive action.

Please sign this petition to support safer schools in Edmonds School District.