LCSO expands task force focused on identifying school threats; arrest 40 this year

A local team dedicated to protecting Lee County students from potential school threats continues to grow.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced Wednesday the expansion of the School Threat Enforcement Team, known as STET, created in 2021.

"The STET team was directed to take a proactive approach to school safety, to give the safety to the schools that your children deserve with razor-sharp focus," Marceno said.

They constantly monitor and scrub social media, as well as local and national intelligence reports, looking for any threats to local students.

"We comb through mountains of information to determine if a student poses a threat and intervene immediately before violence takes place," Marceno said.

The agency works closely with the Lee County School District, as well as other local law enforcement agencies, studying national events.

Marceno said they issued school master keys to every deputy after the lessons they learned from the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, when 19 students and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022.

This school year, Marceno said STET has completed 229 threat assessments, investigated 31 threats of violence and conducted 767 follow-up investigations. They've made 40 arrests, he added.

"I'm proud to announce the expansion of our STET team," Marceno said on that note. Last month, it grew to its current size of one captain, two sergeants, four detectives and two analysts focused on school safety.

They've also added a licensed social worker and three mental health professionals.

"They work with their parents and guardians to find what resources are available in the community," Marceno said. "When appropriate, diversion programs like our own LCSO boxing and basketball program are used. We take all the resources we have and use them together."

Marceno said a student switching schools will remain on their radar.

"We saw we needed more and we made it happen. We're doing our part," Marceno said. "Now I ask, what are the parents doing? Are you having these difficult talks with your children? Are you aware of what they are posting on social media?"

Marceno emphasized parents' role looking into their child's bookbag.

"I know children make mistakes ... Adults ... Everyone makes mistakes," Marceno said. "I just want them to know that we live in a day and age where mistakes cannot be overlooked."

Marceno said he will do his part to prevent school shootings out of fear of having to live with the guilt. He also addressed the budget in place for the expansion.

"Of course, everybody wants to know numbers, right?," Marceno asked. "What does it cost? How much does it cost the taxpayer? Well, I'll say, what's the cost of a life? What's the cost of a loved one?"

Marceno said their budget covers 1,700 employees with approximately $240 million.

"There's no cost to protect and save lives," Marceno said. "I will never, never cut costs when it comes to the safety of our children."

Lee County Superintendent Christopher Bernier emphasized the effect that school threats may have on students.

"The best way to stay focused on learning is to eliminate the disruption caused by a threat of violence to another student, or to an entire school," Bernier said. "We have also made significant improvements in school safety in the last few years."

Bernier said students risk school and possible criminal discipline that can impact their education, as well as the rest of their lives.

"Students, be smart," Bernier said. "Think before you say something or post something."

Bernier said they will continue to add new measures with law enforcement.

Lee County schools saw a 30% jump in weapons possession on school grounds during the 2020-21 school year compared to 2019-20.

Rob Spicker, spokesperson for the Lee County School District, said they split the cost with the Sheriff's Office, which covers 62 school resource officers; one lieutenant; two sergeants; two detectives and a K-9 handler. The school district spends $4.1 million on protective measures.

The state department of education hasn't released yet the numbers for the 2021-22 school year.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County sheriff boosts prevention team in wake of school threats