With plan pending for a cop on campus, Garfield High holding community forum on School Engagement Officers

Garfield High School's community forum on July 17 aims to discuss the proposal of placing a Seattle Police Department officer on campus amid ongoing safety concerns. Principal Tarance Hart emphasized the importance of community engagement in determining the future of safety and support systems at Garfield. This initiative comes in response to the murder of student Amarr Murphy-Paine in 2024 and follows a year without gun violence at the school since Hart's appointment in 2021. The proposal to reinstate School Engagement Officers was originally part of a program dropped in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests. Seattle voters are set to weigh in on a $1.

3 billion school levy this fall, which includes funding for improved campus security and the officer program. SPD Chief Shon Barnes supports the initiative, advocating for a collaborative approach that includes input from all stakeholders. The forum will feature discussions facilitated by trusted community partners, including organizations focused on advocacy and mental health. Hart urged the community to participate, stating that "all voices are needed" to strengthen the school environment.