Physicians for #PoliceFreeSchools
Mayor Lightfoot and members of Chicago City Council:
As physicians who care for Chicago’s children, we are proud to join youth activists in seeking termination of the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) $33 million contract with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). As leaders across the nation have acknowledged, financial resources for schools are limited, and we are doing our youth a disservice by prioritizing punishment over support. School districts in Minneapolis, Portland, and Denver have all terminated their police contracts. We believe Chicago should do the same.
The mere presence of police in schools increases the risk of youth incarceration, and there is ample evidence that Black and Latinx students are disproportionately targeted by police. We have seen these students in our emergency departments, hospitals, and clinics. We have treated them for physical injuries and emotional distress caused by police interactions. Police interactions are a form of toxic stress that increases the risk of lifelong health problems, and police presence alone in schools can be traumatizing. We are deeply concerned about the long-term effects of school police presence on our patients.
We believe in Chicago’s youth and in their ability to succeed. They deserve adults trained to support their growth and development of healthy conflict resolution skills. They should not be attending schools that are fully staffed with police officers while mental health workers are only available two afternoons a week. Schools should employ restorative justice practices, which reduce student misbehavior, but are woefully underfunded. If re-allocated, the $33 million currently allotted to 180 school resource officers in CPS could fund positions for 317 social workers, 314 school psychologists, or 322 nurses. Schools should be safe for students: a place of healing and growth, not further trauma.
We urge you to support the health and safety of our children by removing CPD from CPS.
Signed,
Dr. Rebekah Fenton, MD (3rd ward)
Dr. Winnie Lin, MD (46th ward)
Dr. Han Yu Stephanie Liou, MD (3rd ward)
Dr. Erin Klein, MD (42nd ward)
Dr. Meredithe McNamara, MD (46th ward)
Dr. Roohie Poonia, MD (3rd ward)
Dr. Margaret Russell, MD (47th ward)
Reference: https://copsoutcps.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CopsOutCPS-Report-6.16.20-1.pdf
