Gun violence and school shootings have become more prevalent in recent years, and beginning in 2017, firearm-related injuries became the most common cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 24. Students also face the threat of bullying, gangs, racism, drugs, and abuse. In recognition of the need for collective action, the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) established a joint task force early in 2022 centered on identifying models for collaboration between police and school districts to address the safety of students in communities and schools throughout the United States. The impact of crime and violence in schools and communities goes beyond the immediate threats to student safety. Students who experience or witness crime and violence often face lasting trauma that may impact their long-term mental health and academic achievement. In response to these threats, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed into law by Congress in the summer of 2022. The Act seeks to help keep schools safe and reduce the threat of violence across the country. This document proposes new and innovative approaches to reducing incidents of violence in schools and communities with a focus on shifting mindsets and reframing relationships and practices related to schools, police, and communities.