Atlanta Schools Creating Own Police Force

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      In the midst of the shootings that have taken place in schools, Atlanta public schools wants to put more police on campus by creating a school-run force.

     The purpose of placing officers on campus everyday is that it would be more effective in avoiding crimes and resolving conflicts with words instead of weapons, officials say. Atlanta schools have off-duty officers from the Atlanta Police Department to serve as school resource officers, but those officers work only part-time.

     “More police can mean more safety for students,” said junior Terica Wilborn.

     The school district hasn’t exposed details of its plan. Currently, its security costs are the uppermost in the metro area in spite of having the fifth-largest student population.

     “Whether we do it through a different relationship with Atlanta or through our own police force, we have to find a way to better manage schools,” said school board chairman, Rueben McDaniel.

By Alexis Bohannon