The question above puts a point on the decision by the Toronto District School Board to end the School Resource Officer program (SRO). In the aftermath, TDSB chair Robin Pilkey is saying that some students felt that they were being watched “that they were being intimidated, that they were being targeted in their schools.” A student, Mariam Imran on the other hand offers this: “I thought they make you feel safer. Anything goes wrong you can go to her and she’ll help you out. I don’t like that they removed them.” These sentiments are echoing around the City following the end of SRO. The vote was 18 to 3 to end the program, a hearty endorsement of Ms. Pilkey’s position. But many don’t get it. The mayor is said to wonder why adjustments could not be made in the program for those who felt uncomfortable. And the elusory nature of the complaint from a small group (10 to 12 percent) of students seems to reveal the TDSB as an upside-down place. If there is palpable intimidation it should be discernible. But no such complaint is present. CBC
