Education

Sterling Heights Police are now randomly visiting 27 Utica district schools twice a day.

It’s part of a collaboration with the school district to increase security in the wake of school shootings around the country.

Police Chief Michael Reese says officers will fit the visits in around their other patrol duties.  “We have to do something to address the issue with the resources that we have available," he adds.  “And if it makes these kids and their parents feel somewhat protected – or a sense of security while they’re in school – then, you know, it’s worth that.”

Some students, parents, and education advocates from Detroit and Highland Park will testify at a federal hearing in Washington this week.

They are part of a nationwide group speaking out against changes in Detroit and other poor school districts.

The group alleges that some of the measures, particularly closing neighborhood schools, have “sabotaged and destabilized” education for many children.

Helen Moore is with the Detroit-based group Keep the Vote-No Takeover.

She said the group wasn’t getting far fighting these measures at the local level.