Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) presented new data on the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, highlighting safety trends that matter to parents, staff and students. The report, released Thursday, shows that assaults in schools are down 43% from the previous four years and larceny incidents are down 74% compared with the 2015‑2019 average.

According to KLKN, the most dramatic change was a 4,000 percent increase in threat‑assessment calls at Lincoln middle schools for the 2025‑2026 school year. “If a student makes a single statement about a threat to harm, we’re going to follow up on it,” said Ryan Zabawa, LPS Director of Student Services. He added that the rise in calls reflects a more proactive approach, allowing the safety team to investigate each report thoroughly.

LPD Crime Analyst Manager Jeff Peterson said the increase in calls can be beneficial, noting that it provides insight into the resources needed to support students. “It’s not necessarily an increase in danger; it’s recognition that we’re seeing and working with the students in a very proactive type of program,” Peterson explained.

The partnership includes 16 SROs stationed across the district—one at every high school and one for every two middle schools—with two additional officers added this school year. LPD crime analyst Trisha Todd described the selection process, stating that officers must have at least three years of law‑enforcement experience and undergo a review of their career performance before being assigned to a school.

What’s next: LPS and LPD will continue to monitor call trends and assess resource needs. The agencies plan to hold a community forum later this month to discuss the data and gather feedback from parents and educators on further safety improvements.

Sources: klkntv.com