Councilor Rivera Opposes Push For Officer At Claremont Academy

WORCESTER, MA- The Worcester School Department recently pushed for a full time police officer at Claremont Academy. Superintendent Maureen Binienda was quoted in a Telegram & Gazette article saying the school falls in a high-crime neighborhood. District 4 Councilor Rivera took a firm stance against the push, claiming the stereotypes of the neighborhood were not only inaccurate but harmful to the community.

"The newspaper headlines about Main South from ten years ago are not today’s headlines," Rivera said in a statement, "Describing and dismissing our neighborhood as overwhelmed with prostitution and drugs perpetuates these past stereotypes of our community, undermining the work that is being done and dismissing the investment and successes of many."

Rivera added that requests for student support have been routinely dismissed by the department for lack of funds. "If the Worcester Public School finances are so tight currently, it begs the question, why are we now all of a sudden able to afford a police officer who’s primary task will be to police the school’s neighborhood," Rivera said, "Community leaders, and particularly leaders in communities of color, have criticized the placement of police officers within our schools as an escalation of the school to prison pipeline."

According to Rivera, parents and community members have been asking for crossing guards and security during drop-off times but have not received assistance from the school department. She also cites an increase in positive police-youth dialogue as a reason the officer is not necessary. The school is currently covered by two roving officers but no full time officer.

"We are not heading in the right direction with this proposal." Rivera said.

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