Northern Michigan's News LeaderSchool Police Program in Jeopardy in Mt. Pleasant

School Police Program in Jeopardy in Mt. Pleasant

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By Evan Dean, Reporter - bio | email

It's a program that puts police officers in school hallways -- but a lack of funding has left the future of the team in jeopardy.

Now, they're trying to figure out a way to come up with the money needed to stay alive.

It's called the Youth Services Unit -- three officers patrolling ten schools all across Mount Pleasant.

For years the program has relied on a source of income from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

But year after year, that funding has been on the decline -- and the sergeant says by the end of March, it will completely run out.

The team puts together safety presentations for students -- and also helps with emergency response procedures.

Police say having that officer in the hallways on a daily basis is the best way to teach and protect children.

Now, the Youth Services Unit is turning to the city commission for funding help.

The commission will determine the fate of the program in a meeting next month.

9&10's Evan Dean and Photojournalist Jake Johnson spoke to police and educators in Mount Pleasant who are trying to make sure this program doesn't disappear from the classrooms.