OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Omaha Public Schools appear to be getting safer. The district says focusing on relationships has made a big difference in some key areas, and school resource officers can play a big role.

“We know that there’s a difference between being safe and feeling safe,” said Lisa Utterback, the Chief Officer of Student and Community Services at OPS.

Utterback says that’s a big consideration when creating their safety plans each year.

When it comes to being safe, OPS reported fewer situations involving weapons, fights between students and students removed from class as punishment. For students to feel safe, they look to their resource officers like the ones who Lt. Charles Ott oversees.

“The number one purpose of having them in the buildings is to, is relationship building

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