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Program wants kids to feel safe near north Minneapolis school
More police presence in response to the feeling it's not safe to walk to school.
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Watching her son DeMont run inside of Lucy Laney Elementary in north Minneapolis on Thursday, Bonita Wallace said she's happy more cops will be around as students walk to and from the school.
"Our babies need to feel safe. I'll be watching," said Wallace, who has two children who attend the school.
That increased presence is part of a Safe Routes to School pilot program by the Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis police that starts today. It's aimed at squashing perceptions that it's not safe for kids to walk to school in certain parts of town.
The pilot comes after several discussions between the district and police addressing school safety.
Besides a non-school-related shooting that injured two outside North High in March, there have been no major criminal or violent incidents at Minneapolis schools this year, said police Lt. Kevin Stoll.
Laney and Richard Green Central elementary in south Minneapolis were chosen as pilot schools for the project because of parent concerns and calls made to police around those sites, said Craig Vana, the district's associate superintendent for emergency response.
Laney Principal David Branch said throw in some major construction on nearby Lowry Avenue and he's glad to know there will be a heightened sense of security.
"It's good to know we're on their radar," Branch said.
Police will have more presence near Laney along Penn Avenue N., between Broadway and 44th Avenues N., and at Green along E. 35th Street, between Nicollet and Chicago Avenues S. before and after school.
Vana said students at both Laney and Green have said they feel safe inside their schools. More schools could be added to the project next year, he said.
"Our goal is to let the kids know the areas around them are safe. We want to work closely, not only with the police, but with those communities as well," Vana said. "This is a start in that direction."
Terry Collins • 612-673-1790
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