In today's County Commissioner's meeting, a startling revelation was made. At 7:16 in the video, details of an agreement for Washington-Nile Schools to pay $7,000 per month for a School Resource Officer. Then, at 20:42 it was confirmed that there is no full time Emergency Response Deputy designated for CPS.
What does that mean? That means when an emergency arises involving a child and CPS is notified, they have to dispatch one of the limited road patrol deputies to assist in the investigation. With a Full Time Emergency Response Deputy, that person would be trained in this specific field of expertise of investigation. Also, it would improve response times from law enforcement in these situations. Finally, it would not take from Public Safety officers on other types of calls and enforcement.
As an editorial, we fully support School Resource Officers. (In fact, we even support allowing certain faculty members to be designated Emergency Response and offering them FREE concealed carry training.)
If a school district can pony up $7,000/mo for a daytime officer (off weekends, off holidays, off in the summer) with full benefits and a shiny new vehicle. It is unfathomable that we can't offer children in crisis a specially trained Emergency Response Deputy.
The schools offer weekend food, summer food, latchkey, and many other wonderful programs. But, how does it make any sense that we provide them quick emergency assistance 8am-4pm Monday through Friday yet leave them vulnerable the rest of the time?
Here's the video of the actual meeting and the official agenda below.
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