A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to reassign traffic patrol officers to the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Education and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department operate a School Resource Officer (SRO) program to help protect the safety of children while they are at school; and

WHEREAS, the object of the SRO program is to "provide a community policing approach to maintaining the safety of the learning environment through the prevention and reduction of school crime and violence"; and

WHEREAS, recent school shootings in the United States, especially the tragic incident in the Amish community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, emphasize the need to protect and secure our schools; and

WHEREAS, this school year, there already been multiple incidents involving guns and other weapons at Metropolitan Nashville public schools, including elementary schools; and

WHEREAS, since Chief Serpas came to Nashville, the Police Department has focused on increasing the enforcement of traffic laws; and

WHEREAS, in light of the serious school safety concerns, it is fitting and proper that the Police Department move a significant number of traffic patrol officers into the schools to protect the children of this community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to reassign traffic patrol officers to the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Police Chief Ronal Serpas.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jamie Isabel