Reimagine Safety:
During the 2019/2020 school year a police officer initiated regular visits with students at Tiffany Park Elementary in southeast Renton, WA. After observing the impact the officer's presence was having on some students and families, parents requested a meeting with the officer through school administrators. Although many concerns were expressed, visits continued until the school building was temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
Parents maintained contact with school administrators as well as representatives from Renton Police Department (RPD) and Renton School District (RSD). On October 7th, 2020 community demands were sent to RPD and shared with RSD.
More community members expressed interest in working together to end the school to prison pipeline in local schools during the national uprising for Black lives. An expanded group including students, family members, teachers, clergy and community members began meeting in early December 2020 and formed Reimagine Safety with renewed focus on both School Resource Officer (SRO) and non-SRO police interactions on school campuses. The group's updated demands are below:

1. End SRO Contract & Limit Police Interactions
* end the current SRO contract
* reinvest funds to increase counselors and/or collaborate with community organizations supporting youth
* limit police interactions on school campuses
2.Increase Transparency & Community Engagement
* involve community in decision making related to police in Renton schools
* center Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students and family voices
3.Create District-wide Race & Equity Policy
* create and implement a Race & Equity policy in order to establish district-wide support and expectations regarding race and equity
* co-collaborate with other community organizations advocating for the policy
By filling out this form, you confirm that you are endorsing Reimagine Safety and our demands listed above.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to one of our members or email:
reimaginesafety@gmail.com