DETROIT – Detroit school officials announced they will spend $600,000 to hire as many as 48 laid-off city police officers to help secure the district’s schools.
The funds, which will be pulled from Detroit’s safety budget and general fund, will enable the city to respond to a recent increase in school violence.
There have been 31 armed robberies since the beginning of the academic year, including one that occurred March 1 at Owen Elementary School. Last week, a janitor was shot at McMichael Elementary/Middle School. In the 2002-2003 year, Detroit schools had 26 armed robberies.
School system officials are also considering letting the Wayne County Sheriffs Department take over management of its office of public safety.
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