In the wake of a tragic shooting at Natomas High School, parents are stepping up their calls for increased security measures on campus. The incident, which occurred after hours, left one teenager injured and has rocked not just the student body, but the entire community. With the fear of school violence palpable, parents, students, and officials are urging the Natomas Unified School District to reinstate school resource officers.
Since January 2026, the district has operated without these crucial figures, and it’s clear that the absence has left students feeling less safe. After a three-year contract with the Sacramento Police Department ended due to citywide officer shortages, the district has now turned to hiring school safety officers instead. However, many in the community, like City Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum, believe that school resource officers play a vital role in building relationships between officers, students, and faculty, which is invaluable in creating a safe school environment.
As anxiety over school safety grows, the Natomas Unified School District has formally requested to bring back the school resource officer contract. It might not be a solve-all, but if it helps students feel safe walking through those doors, it’s a step in the right direction. After all, students shouldn’t have to worry about their safety just to pass math class!
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.






