DPS found fewer weapons on campuses after bringing back SROs [Video]

DENVER — A shooting inside East High School last spring ignited a conversation about safety at Denver Public Schools. After a student shot two deans during a weapons search, the district brought back armed school resource officers. 

Since their return, data 9NEWS obtained through a public records request shows DPS found fewer weapons in schools than in previous years. 

The district’s chief of safety points to several reasons for the downward trend. 

“Clearly the reintegration of the school resource officers is probably one, but we also, if you look at our overall comprehensive safety plan, our school staff is also doing incredible work identifying students in crisis, students who need mental health support and doing that early intervention,” said Gregory Cazzell. 

Data from the district shows that in the 2021-2022 school year, DPS confiscated 202 weapons, including guns, tasers, and …