An 83-page report released by the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has revealed persistent and dangerous gaps in how the city’s public schools address gun violence, spotlighting delayed infrastructure repairs, reduced law enforcement presence, and inconsistent safety protocols across the school system.
The report, titled “Measures to Combat Gun Violence in DC Public Schools,” covers the 2021 through 2023 school years and was issued this week. It identifies five formal recommendations for the Department of General Services (DGS) and six areas of improvement for the Chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS).
“Gun violence is a major public safety challenge nationwide,” the authors wrote, warning that “critical gaps in strategy, coordination, and infrastructure leave our schools vulnerable to gun violence.”
Among the most troubling findings, the OIG, directed by Inspector General Dr. Daniel W. Lucas, determined that DGS failed to complete half of all safety- and security-related repairs within its required 45-day timeframe. The backlog includes broken doors and locks, inoperable communication systems, and malfunctioning surveillance cameras—elements deemed critical for school security. Specifically, of the 2,590 safety-related repairs reviewed, 1,305 remained unresolved beyond the deadline.
“Delays in the timely completion of safety-and security-related repairs create immediate security risks that jeopardize student and staff safety,” the report states.
The evaluation also cited a lack of a standard, citywide definition of “school gun violence,” leading to inconsistent data collection and policy responses across agencies. A DCPS official defined gun violence as “a violent act committed by an individual (juvenile or adult) with a firearm, in an attempt to cause mental anguish, intimidation, bodily harm by way of an assault, attempt to kill, suicide, accidental shooting, or mass shooting.”
However, this definition has not been formally adopted.
The report revealed that 71% of DCPS schools currently lack regular school resource officer (SRO) coverage following a reduction in MPD staffing. Despite their absence, school administrators interviewed said SROs had previously helped deter violence and build relationships with students.
In addition, the OIG found troubling inconsistencies in the implementation of safety protocols—such as visitor policies, classroom window coverings, and cell phone regulations—across campuses. The report notes that “variations in implementation directly affect the District’s ability to provide consistent protection against gun violence.”
Moreover, the report criticized the District for omitting DCPS in key citywide gun violence prevention initiatives, including the Emergency Operations Center established under Mayor’s Order 2021-22.
“Strategies for DCPS that are developed without the agency’s involvement may prove difficult to implement effectively in school settings,” the OIG cautioned.
The report concluded that while the District has “shown a clear commitment to protecting its youth,” systemic vulnerabilities remain.
“When doors cannot be locked, communication systems fail, and security cameras are non-functional, students and staff face potential risks,” the report asserts.
DGS and DCPS have agreed to all recommendations. In a written response, DGS Director Delano Hunter acknowledged the need for a new Safety & Security Classification Matrix and a more structured approach to prioritizing repair requests.
DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee committed to developing a formal definition of gun violence by March 2026, revising outdated policies, and collaborating more closely with MPD and city agencies.
“We are committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe spaces where students can learn and thrive,” a DCPS spokesperson said in a statement, according to WTOP. “We will continue working with our law enforcement, facilities, and education partners across the city to strengthen our school security and keep students and staff safe.”