Somerset County to add 5 school resource officers as school safety takes centerstage

Olivia Minzola, Salisbury Daily Times
·2 min read

As school violence becomes more prevalent in the U.S., local counties are making an effort to keep their students safe.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office announced July 13 the addition of five new school resource officer positions in response to the increased violence. This occurred after the Somerset County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the new positions Tuesday, July 12.

Prior to the announcement, there were four full-time school resource officers assigned to the public school system, one at Crisfield Academy & High School, one at Somerset Intermediate School and two at Washington Academy & High School.

“The safety of our children and schools is paramount, and we believe that having full-time school resource officers in schools is one of many steps we can take to accomplish this goal,” said the Sheriff’s Office in a news release.

Somerset County Schools:Somerset County Teacher of the Year is first grade educator

More:Fatal Somerset County shooting: Names of person shot, law enforcement involved released

The nation continues to reel from the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children were among the 21 people killed in a mass shooting.

“The most recent tragedy in Uvalde, TX reminds us that school violence isn’t just a middle or high school problem. It was important to our Board of Education, County Commissioners and our school community to add School Resource Officers to protect our elementary school students and staff; particularly in Deal Island where it could take 20 minutes or more for law enforcement to respond due to its remote location in the county," Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Gaddis said.

Additionally, school administrators will receive new school safety and crisis response training over the summer.

The five newly appointed positions will be funded through a collaborative effort between Somerset County, Somerset County public schools and The Maryland Center for School Safety.

School resource officers are expected to be placed at the following schools:

  • Crisfield Academy & High School.

  • Deal Island Elementary School.

  • Greenwood Elementary School.

  • Washington Academy & High School.

  • Somerset Intermediate School.

  • Woodson Elementary School.

  • Princess Anne Elementary School.

The county anticipates filling the positions during the 2022-2023 school year.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Somerset County Public Schools to add 5 resource officers