Minutes 06-06-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said she would like to know more about the School Resource Officers. Sheriff Pendergrass said, back in December, after the Sandy Hook incident, he put SROs in every school. He said the County has a plan for 7 reserves who will be working in the schools, not as security officers. These officers will be teaching a child abuse reduction education program in every one of the elementary school classrooms. He said all of these officers are certified, sworn, law enforcement officers. Commissioner Gordon asked if this is different from School Resource Officers (SROs), which were discussed in at the budget session in May. She said the information at that meeting said the Sheriff's office would provide SRO's for the middle and high schools. She reviewed the numbers from this proposal. Sheriff Pendergrass said these officers are on an hourly rate and benefits are not being put forth because these are retired officers. Commissioner Gordon asked if this provides SRO coverage for all of the schools in OCS. Sheriff Pendergrass said yes. He said all of the County schools will have coverage, but not the Chapel Hill or Carrboro schools. He said Orange High school has two deputies, so there is a backup for Cedar Ridge. Commissioner Price asked if there are any obstacles with the jail facility improvements or the new jail. She also asked for an update on the shutdown of the Orange County Correctional facility. Sheriff Pendergrass said he is not sure if this new facility is ready to happen, and he is holding his breath on this. He said there is a brand new unit that is capable of holding 800 people. Commissioner Price complimented the Sheriff and his department for their efforts in the County. Commissioner Gordon also expressed her thanks. Chair Jacobs referenced Hillsborough Police Department's desire to start a program in elementary schools for security, and he asked how this affects the deputies. Sheriff Pendergrass said, if Hillsborough is able to get a grant for this program, there would be two officers working three schools- Cameron Park, Central and Hillsborough Elementary. He said that this would be the choice of the Police Department and the school board. He said the Sheriff's department would still have one person in each school. He said the safety and welfare of these children is very important to him and the rest of the department. Chair Jacobs said the Board appreciates the Sheriff's cost conscious efforts. He also complimented the sheriff and his staff for being non- threatening and approachable. He said this is a strength of the sheriff's leadership. Sheriff Pendergrass said the philosophy of his department is to treat everyone how you would like to be treated. Frank Clifton said one of the ways the staff balances the budget is evident if you look at the department request of$10 million and the budget amount of$9 million. He said the $10 million represents the full funding of operations for the entire year, including adding staff positions. He said that these people are phased in. He said that the $9.2 million will be the operating budget for the coming year, but by July of next year the operating budget will be $10.2 million when all staff positions are filled. Emergency Services page 125