Lincoln, Neb. – Parents, teachers and students are seeing the results of a stronger partnership between Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and the Lincoln Police Department (LPD). Data released Thursday reveal that the presence of school resource officers (SROs) is helping keep campuses safer while giving families peace of mind.
More threat‑assessment calls, but fewer crimes
During the 2025‑2026 school year, Lincoln middle schools recorded a startling 4,000% increase in threat‑assessment calls. As Ryan Zabawa, LPS Director of Student Services, explained, “If a student makes a single statement about a threat to harm, we follow up on it. We’ve increased our capacity within our safety team to investigate every one of those things thoroughly.” The surge reflects a proactive approach: students are reporting concerns early, allowing officers to intervene before situations escalate.
That proactive reporting is paying off. The same report shows assaults on school grounds are down 43% from the previous four‑year average, and larceny incidents have fallen 74% compared with the 2015‑2019 baseline. LPD crime analyst Jeff Peterson called the trend “a very proactive type of program,” noting that the increase in calls actually signals greater awareness and cooperation between students and law‑enforcement officers.
Expanded officer presence
LPS now employs 16 SROs—one at each high school and one for every two middle schools. Two additional officers were added this school year, bringing the total to 18. All SROs are sworn police officers who must meet strict qualifications before serving in schools. As LPD crime analyst Trisha Todd explained, “Officers have to apply, be selected, and have at least three years of law‑enforcement experience. Their past performance, supervisor feedback and interest in working with youth are all reviewed.”
This rigorous vetting ensures that officers are not only qualified to enforce the law but also prepared to serve as mentors and trusted adults on campus.
Parents and staff feel safer
“It’s peace of mind for parents, it’s peace of mind for staff, it’s peace of mind for students in a lot of cases, because there is that presence of a school resource officer there,” Zabawa said. He added that students feel both safer and more respected when an officer answers their call, reinforcing the program’s dual focus on security and community building.
The data also highlight a robust reporting system within the district. Every call for service—whether it involves vandalism, threats or other concerns—is logged and investigated, creating a transparent record that helps administrators allocate resources where they are needed most.
Looking ahead
Both LPS and LPD say the partnership is still growing. Continued investment in officer training, expanded coverage, and community outreach are planned for the next school year. By maintaining a strong SRO presence, Lincoln aims to keep its schools safe havens where families can focus on learning and faith‑based values without fear.
For parents seeking more information about the SRO program or how to report concerns, LPS encourages contacting the Student Services office or calling the district’s dedicated safety line.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
