BATTLE CREEK (WKZO AM/FM) — The Battle Creek City Commission approved agreements with the City Public Schools and the Lakeview District to provide School Resource Officers, as communities look for ways to improve security at schools.
It will cost the schools about $86,000 per year for each officer, prorated for the remainder of this year.
A parent complained at the meeting, that security is not always as tight as it should be at Central High, especially where adults are concerned, creating a false sense of security. She says the often aren’t required to go through the metal detectors.
She also complained that teachers have been trained on what to do if there is an active shooter, but students have not.
Chief Jim Blocker says their officers are there to assist and instruct, but day to day security is the role of the security staff at schools. He says they are ready willing an able to conduct active shooter drills with students too. He suggested that she make her comments, which made good points, to the School Board.
According to the job description provide t the Commissioners, the officer’s job is to get to know the students, present a friendly image, identify the bad apples and try to get them to straighten up, and bust them if they cross the line and commit crimes.
