DCPS Says New Security Companies Are Moving Into Place
News broke late last week that Hawk One, the company that was responsible for providing security guards at the District of Columbia's 127 public schools, had gone belly up. The timing couldn't have been worse, as D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee handed out 388 pink slips to teachers and staff on the very day that the Hawk One guards didn't show up to work. The combination may well have exacerbated a skirmish that broke out at McKinley High School on Friday in reaction to the layoffs, during which two people were arrested.
On Monday, DCPS put out a statement intended to calm concerns that inadequate security persisted at the city's schools this week. The school district says it is working with D.C. police to provide additional security while guards with two new security companies, Securitas and US Security Associates, are deployed to campuses. The full announcement is after the jump.
Schools continue to have full security coverage as new security vendors are transitioned into the schools. Approximately 150 new officers deployed today were guards who previously worked for Hawk One at the schools. The Metropolitan Police Department, in collaboration with the DCPS Office of School Security, has deployed MPD officers and DCPS Special Police Officers to provide security services to schools who have not yet received their guards.The new security firms, Securitas and US Security Associates, will continue to deploy their guards into the schools as they are processed. Under the new contract, the vendors are required to consider for employment any of the existing Hawk One guards. All guards will be back in schools as soon as possible. MPD and DCPS will continue to provide security throughout the transition.
All planned activities, including after school programming and athletic events will have security coverage. If you have any questions or school specific concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Critical Response Team at (202) 478-5738.