Charting a New Course for School Safety in the DC Metro Area

By Libby Doyle and Constance Hull

Following nationwide uprisings against police violence in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, many school districts have reexamined the use of police in their schools. Several jurisdictions in the DC metro area are moving to reduce the number and responsibilities of police in schools and implement alternative school safety strategies. 1 In this brief, after reviewing the history and unequal effects of police in US schools, we examine efforts in three of these jurisdictions—Washington, DC; Alexandria, Virginia; and Montgomery County, Maryland—to illustrate the varied approaches localities have taken, the barriers they have faced, and key considerations for policymakers and community members about how to implement and sustain these changes. Lessons from these three jurisdictions can inform national conversations about divesting from law enforcement agencies and investing in alternative safety infrastructure in schools.

Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2022. 15p.