Community organization 'Bury the Violence' has organized a petition calling for security and safety reforms following an attempted abduction at School 59 in February.
"According to a BPD SVU Detective, an attempted abduction occurred at Charles R. Drew Science Magnet School (School 59). Despite the involvement of the Buffalo Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, there has been a concerning lack of responsiveness and transparency from the Buffalo Public School District regarding this incident. This inaction has left parents, students, and community members alarmed and seeking immediate assurances about the safety of our children," the petition read.
Bury the Violence organizers are calling on the BOE to install secure entry systems, upgrade surveillance systems, establish a centralized security communication hub accessible to Buffalo Public School security personnel, develop and implement a communication strategy, conduct a comprehensive review of safety and security policies across all schools within the district and provide training for staff and students on safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
This was one of the issues brought to light on a podcast over the weekend in which Buffalo Police Detective Richard Hy accused Buffalo Public Schools of covering up and obstructing investigations of sexual assaults and abuse in regards to its students.
"The safety of our children is non-negotiable. We urge the Buffalo Public Schools Board of Education and the Buffalo Museum of Science to take immediate and decisive action to implement the above measures. By doing so, we can restore trust within the community and ensure a secure learning environment for all students," the petition continued.
The Buffalo Board of Education has announced that it will conduct an independent external investigation.
BPS recently issued a statement acknowledging the accusations made in the podcast, saying in part, "the district is prepared to vigorously address these untruths." They also said that the district has prioritized the safety and security of its students and staff.
