Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
No More Police In Pomona Schools
Pomona Unified School District approved a new budget on Wednesday night without funding for campus police.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
The Pomona Unified School District will no longer have police officers on campu beginning with the upcoming school year. School board members approved a new budget Wednesday night without any funding for Community School Resource Officers.
Pomona Unified Superintendent Richard Martinez told KPCC that over the past year, parents and guardians say their priorities for campus safety have changed:.
"What we heard from the parents due to COVID-19, this pandemic, they really wanted us to focus on the return, reengagement, helping students catch up, the mental health of students," Martinez said.
The district is instead funding tutoring, college prep and after-school programs, as well as restorative justice programs to deal with bullying and behavioral issues.
Support for LAist comes from
Martinez said in the past, campus police would also be involved when students were questioned during disciplinary meetings. Reports from Gente Organizada, a Pomona area community group, found that this involvement was often ineffective. They indicated that oftentimes students would be interviewed by campus police without an adult to support them.
Martinez said police will still be called in if a crime is committed but, in the meantime, any disciplinary action will be handled by school proctors.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter. -
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown.
Best of LAist