LA County Releases an Animated Short Film
Documenting a Student's Experience Impacted by
School Policing
As the new school year begins, the LA County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR) invites you to watch "Echoes of a System," a four-minute animated film that amplifies the voice of a student and their family who have been impacted by school policing at a High School in the Antelope Valley.
 The film's opening shot features a Black student swinging on a swing, signaling the start of his progression in the Antelope Valley School System. A parent's voice narrates the film.
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR), part of the Executive Office of the LA County Board of Supervisors, released “Echoes of a System,” a groundbreaking animated short film featuring the real-life testimony of a student and their family impacted by school policing in the Antelope Valley. The film draws from the Commission’s School Safety Narrative Collection Initiative and highlights a student of color who represents others whose experiences are often excluded from school safety discussions.
“This film gives the public a rare and intimate look at how school policing can shape a young person’s daily reality,” said Robin Toma, Executive Director of LACCHR. “By sharing this story, we aim to spark honest conversations about safety, dignity, and how schools can best serve every student. We hope it moves community members and decision-makers alike to reflect, learn, and work toward a more just and supportive approach to school safety.”
Paul Smith, Senior Human Relations Consultant for LACCHR’s Transformative Justice Program, noted that the film is intended as a catalyst for change. “Stories have the power to shift hearts and minds,” Smith said. “We hope this film fosters greater awareness, empathy, and engagement toward policies grounded in dignity and restorative principles.”
Community partner Waunette Cullors, CEO and Founder of The WOW Flower Project, praised the film for spotlighting systemic injustices and inspiring dialogue on restorative practices: “For too long, the narratives surrounding incarceration have been dominated by punishment and fear. Our goal is to shift this perspective towards one that emphasizes healing, community support, and the dismantling of harmful systems. This film is not just a story; it is a testament to resilience and a call to action.”
 Parents, students, and community leaders attended a special screening of the film "Echoes of a System" in the Antelope Valley on Monday, August 4.
The School Safety Narrative Collection Initiative was launched in 2023 in response to two reports revealing stark racial disparities in school policing in the Antelope Valley. One, published by the LA County Office of the Inspector General, found that although Black students made up just 17.8% of district enrollment, they accounted for 67.3% of school-based arrests. Another, “Not Just Stops: Mapping Racially Biased Policing in the Antelope Valley,” produced by the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County and Cal State Northridge, found that Black residents were disproportionately stopped, searched, and detained in the region.
The Commission has shared the film and related reports with oversight bodies, educators, and community groups to support calls for mental health services, restorative practices, and culturally responsive alternatives to policing.
To view and share the animated short film with your community, click here.
As a companion resource for the “Echoes of a System” video, LACCHR recommends a step-by-step toolkit for students and families for addressing issues with school resource officers. The toolkit was created by the LA County Probation Oversight Commission (POC), which was authorized in 2024 by the Board of Supervisors to provide free assistance (in English and Spanish) with any community complaints about School Resource Deputies. (This is for issues with on-campus officers only at schools served by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s School Resource Deputies.) To download the resource toolkit, click here.
To learn more about LACCHR’s Transformative Justice work, click here.
For more information about LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, click here.
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About the LA County Commission on Human Relations
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is dedicated to protecting human rights and promoting positive human relations in our richly diverse, multicultural county throughout all five Supervisorial Districts. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, homophobia, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to intercultural tension, hate crimes, and related violence. For more information about LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, click here.
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About the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors
The LA County Commission on Human Relations is housed within the Executive Office of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The Executive Office provides a multi-functional support role for the Board of Supervisors in administering and managing technology, staffing, procurement, and facilities resources, as well as the publication of information for the Board, various County departments, and the public. The Executive Office also administers and oversees over 30 County commissions and offices, and its mission is to provide excellent customer service and support the Board in achieving its objectives.
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