Monday afternoon, the Omaha Public School District brought in specialists to talk about their procedures for keeping kids safe.The district is proud of the safety of its schools. They say their data shows that their approaches — such as a strong partnership with law enforcement and staying proactive — have helped them create a more secure environment at school.”Our ultimate goal is to make the school a better environment,” said Lisa Utterback.A goal she said the district is meeting in 2025, with their behavior and discipline report showing weapon events and assaults are down.”The data is showing that we’re moving in that right direction, then that reiterates to us and affirms that good work is happening,” Utterback said.They give credit to their growing relationship with the Omaha Police Department and to keeping their students prepared.”Our ongoing partnership with law enforcement, ranging from all of our first responders meeting with us regularly and practicing drills, we have, and the Office of School Safety — all of our schools are required to do safety drills,” Utterback said.A collaboration that Lt. Charles Ott, who oversees school resource officers, says has only grown in recent years.”I feel that there’s a really good group of people in the school safety office. And I feel that there’s a lot of trust between us and their office,” Ott said. A police presence in schools has also helped establish trust with the community.”I feel that it’s huge — not just the relationship building that it helps form between students and staff, but it shows that officers are people,” Ott said.Not just showing that officers are people, but helping build a deep connection with students.”They take pride in it, because you’ll hear officers at numerous schools talk about ‘their kids.’ They don’t say ‘the kids.’ They say ‘their kids,'” Ott said. Making the hallways not just a place where students are safe, but also feel safe.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Monday afternoon, the Omaha Public School District brought in specialists to talk about their procedures for keeping kids safe.
The district is proud of the safety of its schools. They say their data shows that their approaches — such as a strong partnership with law enforcement and staying proactive — have helped them create a more secure environment at school.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the school a better environment,” said Lisa Utterback.
A goal she said the district is meeting in 2025, with their behavior and discipline report showing weapon events and assaults are down.
“The data is showing that we’re moving in that right direction, then that reiterates to us and affirms that good work is happening,” Utterback said.
They give credit to their growing relationship with the Omaha Police Department and to keeping their students prepared.
“Our ongoing partnership with law enforcement, ranging from all of our first responders meeting with us regularly and practicing drills, we have, and the Office of School Safety — all of our schools are required to do safety drills,” Utterback said.
A collaboration that Lt. Charles Ott, who oversees school resource officers, says has only grown in recent years.
“I feel that there’s a really good group of people in the school safety office. And I feel that there’s a lot of trust between us and their office,” Ott said.
A police presence in schools has also helped establish trust with the community.
“I feel that it’s huge — not just the relationship building that it helps form between students and staff, but it shows that officers are people,” Ott said.
Not just showing that officers are people, but helping build a deep connection with students.
“They take pride in it, because you’ll hear officers at numerous schools talk about ‘their kids.’ They don’t say ‘the kids.’ They say ‘their kids,'” Ott said.
Making the hallways not just a place where students are safe, but also feel safe.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
