Parents concerned city budget battle could impact school security

METHUEN, Mass. — Parents in Methuen are alarmed after learning school resource officers could be laid off unless the city council approves a funding request from the police department.

It's a familiar sight for parents outside Timony Grammar School in Methuen, resource officers hard at work.

"We love having our police officers in the school, they know our students, they know our families, we really feel like they're essential personnel," said school committee member Jana DiNatale.

But the SRO jobs are now in jeopardy amidst a budget battle between the Methuen City Council and the police department.

At issue is a $1.8 million funding request that includes 23 percent pay raises for some police officers over the next three years. Many city councilors have balked at those numbers, but city officials say it's the best deal they can make to keep officers on the streets and prevent a lawsuit from the police department.

>> PREVIOUS: Methuen's police captains could become nation's highest paid officers

"If they are cut, we need to look into other avenues to make sure that our schools are protected," said DiNatale.

DiNatale says the district may consider hiring private security to replace the resource officers, a potentially costly alternative.

"I hope at the end of the day, everyone comes together to do the best interest including our students," said DiNatale.

In a statement, the mayor's chief of staff told Boston 25 News "The Mayor is hopeful that the City Council will approve his request to fully fund the FY 2019 Police Department budget in order to avoid a public safety crisis in the city."

Boston 25 News reached out to the police department, as well as some city councilors, but have not yet received a response.

The city council has set a special meeting Thursday night to talk about the impending budget vote to fund the police department.

Cox Media Group