PCSD beefs up presence in local schools

Citing a “tsunami of angst” that has washed over the country since the recent school shooting in Parkland, Fla., the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department recently announced plans to increase its presence in the 13 public school buildings in Putnam County.

Beginning late last week, at least three officers each day are spending some or all of their days visiting local schools to perform random walk-throughs.

One merit deputy is now assigned full-time to conduct the random visits and walk-throughs. This deputy will spend his day traveling from school to school for such visits.

Meanwhile, all day shift deputies (at least two daily) will add school visits and walk-throughs to their routine patrols

Sheriff Scott Stockton said the walk-throughs are an extension of existing efforts to partner with local schools. Efforts already in place included pass-throughs of school parking lots, K9 searches of both vehicles and lockers, as well as the presence of reserve deputies at sporting events.

However, what happened in Parkland, when a former student gunned down 17 victims, has escalated the need.

“This situation has brought school safety to the forefront and we — just like everyone else — are reviewing what we are doing so that students, faculty, parents feel safe,” Stockton said.

Chief Deputy Phil Parker added that the Parkland shooting has caused all law enforcement agencies and those in leadership roles across the country to take a closer look at what their doing for school safety.

“This is something that’s been going on for years,” Stockton said, citing past efforts by the Greencastle Police Department, Indiana State Police and the sheriff’s departments.

“We’re going to have a pretty good representation of law enforcement at the schools,” Parker said. “Part of the effectiveness of it is the randomness of it.”

In addition to the added security, there will also be an added emphasis on education and training.

Putnam County deputies, along with other county law enforcement agencies, have trained in active shooter response for many years. The department has two active shooter instructors on staff. This training will continue, as always, with an emphasis on new best practices.

In the near future, the sheriff plans to host an open session for parents, students, businesses and churches on active shooter prevention and response with Dr. Richard Hogue, a school safety expert with the Indiana State Police.

Finally, the department is looking for ways to make such programs sustainable.

Working with other law enforcement agencies and county officials, Stockton said he plans to discuss law enforcement resources to develop strategies and solutions regarding school safety for the years to come.

This includes partnerships not only with the school administrators, but also city and town police agencies.

“This is not a competition. There’s not a patent on providing public service,” Stockton said. “This is nothing new — we’re just trying to stretch our resources as well as we can.”

“It’s everybody’s responsibility,” Parker added.