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'Where can they go? Where can they be safe?' | Parents want answers after student is robbed at McKinley Technology High School

Just in the past few weeks, police say the neighborhood around McKinley Tech has seen carjackings and robberies.

WASHINGTON — Dozens of parents flooded a Zoom call with police, a principal and a councilmember Wednesday night demanding something be done about the safety of their kids around, near and on the campus of a Northeast D.C. high school.

Just in the past few weeks, police say the neighborhood around McKinley Tech has seen carjackings and robberies, including one this past week when a student was robbed at gunpoint on campus. 

Kurshanna Dean says her 16-year-old son was doing what she told him to - staying put on campus where she thought he would be safe.

"The next thing you know, they ask, 'What do you have in your bag? You know, empty your pockets,' and my son sees a gun," Dean said. 

Dean's son was robbed at gunpoint just after school last Thursday, while he waited to take an ACT prep class.

"At that point, my son told me that, you know, he was scared because he didn't know what the outcome was going to be," Dean explained. "Where can they go? Where can they be safe? Near their school, at school. And right now, I don't have any answers."

On Zoom Wednesday night, Dean signed into a meeting with her son's principal, police, her councilmember, and 100 other parents hoping to hear some answers. 

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker told parents he has repeatedly requested more resources for the area.

"I am not satisfied with the support that MPD or my office has received," said Parker.

The Councilman said he is struggling to get more officers in the neighborhoods, cameras, and more safe passage workers to help kids get to and from school.

"To date, we have not gotten any of those things, and that is not to finger point or shame and blame, but it is to say that we need more support," said Parker. 

Dean wants more school resource officer back in her son's school.

Parker said the DC Council has reversed its decision to reduce the number of SROs, and he has introduced legislation to add new security personnel to every school...but that will be next month at the earliest.

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