Chester Upland School District to shift from armed police patrols to security officers

    Perhaps synonymous in our area with “financially struggling school district,” Chester Upland’s superintendent plans to eliminate its gun-toting police staff in exchange for unarmed security officers. The move will save the district money.

    According to the Delaware County Times, the district’s other security measures, like metal detectors, will remain in place.
    But eight police officers will be eliminated and their weapons are going with them.

    The district could save more than $200,000 at a time when state oversight isn’t out of the question. Tony Watson, acting superintendent, says the transition isn’t expected to decrease the level of safety in schools and that money was not the only deciding factor.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal