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FLORENCE – After three recent incidents where firearms were brought onto campus and students along with staff at San Manuel Jr./Sr. High School were put in harms way, Supervisor Pete Rios and Sheriff Paul Babeu joined forces to fund a needed School Resource Officer (SRO) to the area.
“The School Superintendent, John Ryan had called my office to see if it was possible to bring an SRO to the Junior/Senior High School,” Supervisor Rios said. “When I had learned of these incidents at the school, I thought it was imperative to have that presence at the school that is removed from State Route 77 and other law enforcement departments, I spoke with Sheriff Babeu and we were agreed to put the funding question before the Board of Supervisors.”
In the Board of Supervisors hearing, Sheriff Babeu said the SRO would be much more than just an officer at the school. The SRO is able to help teach classes when the subject pertains to law enforcement matters and act as a mentor to the students as well. During the time when school is not in session, the SRO will be a field deputy for the Sheriff’s Office.
“In my motion to bring the SRO to a vote, I required that the position would only be funded if the deputy would be used in the capacity of an SRO at the school,” Supervisor Rios stated. “I am pleased that we were able to get enough votes to make this a reality. My thanks go to Sheriff Babeu for his efforts in helping ensure that students in this school are relatively safe.”
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