Parents and law enforcement officials in Los Angeles are pushing for schools to bring back a significantly reduced number of on-campus police officers, who were replaced by “climate coaches.” This call for action comes as reports of bullying have soared, showing more than double the previous numbers.
The Los Angeles School Police Officers’ union is backing parents’ pleas to have full-time officers reinstated at all schools, particularly following the tragic incident involving 17-year-old Xavier Nungaray-Martinez. He tragically fell from a fourth-floor balcony at Franklin High School in Highland Park after being involved in a fight captured on video.
This outcry follows a decision made five years ago when the LA Unified School District cut $25 million from its school police budget. During this reduction, 133 positions, accounting for 28% of the police force, were eliminated, and funding was redirected towards a $36.5 million initiative aimed at improving Black student achievement, which included hiring climate coaches to assist with student behavior.
Currently, there are 262 sworn officers within the LAUSD, although they are now assigned to patrol multiple schools rather than being based on individual campuses.
The controversial decision to reduce police staffing was influenced by activist groups, including Black Lives Matter, pushing against the perceived over-policing of Black students.
“We’ve had several alarming incidents involving violence and weapons in and around schools, highlighting the need to enhance, not reduce, safety measures,” stated Anthony Stafford, president of the Los Angeles School Police Management Association, indicating the urgent need for returning to a higher police presence. He acknowledged parents’ concerns, underscoring that every family deserves reassurance about their children’s safety at school.
On September 30, after purported bullying at school, Xavier took his life, and while the LA County Medical Examiner classified it as suicide due to blunt force injuries, his family insists he was not suicidal, attributing his death to bullying. Police, however, reported they had not confirmed a direct link between bullying and his tragic decision.
In the most recent student survey conducted by LAUSD, 17% of students reported experiencing bullying, reflecting the highest rates since the 2021-22 school year. Physical bullying cases rose from 6% to 15% within a single year, indicating a concerning trend. At Franklin High specifically, 11% of students reported being bullied, with physical bullying affecting 5% of seniors.
Data also revealed that the district had documented 5,636 fights and aggressive incidents in the 2024-25 school year, a slight decrease from the previous year’s 5,707 incidents.
Despite calls for reinstating officers, the LAUSD has not yet shared updated figures or responses regarding these growing safety concerns. A spokesperson mentioned the district’s ongoing commitment to engage with communities while addressing financial challenges.
Video footage from the incident leading to Xavier’s death shows a fight in a classroom, with another student striking him, ultimately leading to Xavier jumping from the corridor’s railing.
The Los Angeles Police Department and school police are currently investigating the events surrounding this tragic occurrence, and police charges have been filed in relation to the incident. Meanwhile, Xavier’s family has initiated a petition for better security measures, advocating for the presence of campus police, security cameras, and better-trained staff to ensure student safety. William Amaya, Xavier’s father, firmly believes that if police were present on campus, his son’s death could have been prevented, recalling a time when several officers actively managed the environment at Franklin High.
In response to the recent violence, including incidents involving knives and guns, parents alike are calling for a return to a more significant police presence on campus, with some emphasizing that enforcing authority may lead to better student behavior overall. Yet, not all parent groups agree that bringing back police is the solution. Nancy Villarreal, from the Parent Organization Network, argues that enhancing police presence alone won’t resolve underlying issues affecting school safety and suggests the need for improved mental health services and conflict resolution approaches alongside security measures.
As the district considers potential budget cuts, parents and community members express rising concerns over declining safety conditions. Stafford stressed that further reductions to school police would put students and staff at unnecessary risk, questioning how the district could cut services as demands for safety increase.
