Safe schools are the concern of communities throughout the world. If a school is safe, and if children feel safe, students "are better able to learn. But what are the steps to make" this happen? First, it is important to understand the problem: What are the threats to school safety? These include crime-related behaviors that find their way to school each day, such as alcohol and other drug use, aggressive and violent behavior, self-destructive behavior, and the impact of child abuse. But communities also need to understand the challenges that exist when it comes to law enforcement--a key partner--working in collaboration with schools to help ensure safety. Because law enforcement and school personnel differ in so many ways, they face challenges in the areas of communications, perception, roles, responsibilities, and data sharing. After defining the challenges, communities can build on the consensus that already exists--that safe schools are everyone's business. Evidence-based strategies implemented with fidelity can increase the likelihood of success. Communities can employ a variety of strategies to overcome the challenges law enforcement faces in working effectively in schools by identifying leadership that fosters mutual trust, choosing and training law enforcement officers best suited for proactive work, and finding effective ways for law enforcement and school personnel to work in partnership carrying out complementary roles and responsibilities.