Portantino Moves on Legislation Inspired by Glendale PD to Increase Reporting Obligations to Better Coordinate Efforts to Prevent School Threats

Sacramento, California – State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) has introduced SB 1091 which will create a statewide process for facilitating interagency cross reporting for threats of school crimes. This bill hopes to increase campus safety by allowing law enforcement and school districts to better collaborate and intervene on responses to dangerous threats of school shootings, hate crimes, other acts of violence, and drug or alcohol abuse.

“Keeping our school children safe at school needs to be a top priority for all of us. The fact that there is no mandated cross reporting of information between school districts, offices of education, and law enforcement is very troubling. As Californians, we should want our governmental agencies to collaborate to prevent tragic acts of violence that have become all too common on our campuses,” commented Senator Portantino.

Violent incidents on school campuses have sadly risen in recent years. Data from the department of education shows that schools experienced about 54,000 reported violent incidents during the 2017-18 school year, up from around 41,000 during 2015-16. The percentage of schools that had a “serious violent incident,” defined as attacks using weapons, sexual violence, and robbery rose 6% during this period. This dramatic increase in violence at schools cannot be ignored. By creating common-sense collaboration between schools and law enforcement, SB 1091 will help keep California students safer when they leave the comfort of their homes. 

“Early intervention is essential to keep our schools safter and preventing incidents on our campuses.  No one wants to have an ‘unthinkable’ incident happen at their school, and a framework to cross report information in a timely manner is an important tool  in avoiding  violence on school campuses.  SB 1091 will improve the ability of school and law enforcement officials to work together to ensure school safety,” added Glendale Chief of Police Carl Povilaitis.

Collaborating with local law enforcement experts is not a novel concept for Senator Portantino.  Last year, he worked with the Pasadena Police Department on expanding anti recidivism legislation that was signed into law by Governor Newsom.  In the past, he has worked with the California Police Chiefs Association on efforts to end the “open carry” loopholes in State Law.