ODAAC Supports a Full-Time School Resource Officer

The elimination of the full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) at Amity High School is the wrong decision for our community.

As you might imagine, our primary concern is the welfare of our students. With over 1600 students and an additional 200+ adults, ODAAC feels it is imperative to have a full-time policeman on duty at the school.  We recognize that there are three security guards; however, their capacities are limited by the very nature of their job description.  They have no arrest powers, no uniform, no gun, handcuffs or pepper spray. While it’s true that prior to the elimination of the SRO “crime was down” at ASHS, it can surely be argued that the main reason was because of police presence on campus, not in spite of it. 

It is likely that any other gathering of nearly 2000 people in one building in our community would surely demand the presence of a policeman (or more than one!) to patrol the venue.  In fact, to do so otherwise would be irresponsible at best and dangerous at worst.  And yet, this scenario is not a one-time event…this takes place 180 days each year, right at school.  Let’s give our students and staff the same courtesy and respect for their safety.

ODAAC is committed to the safety and well being of our students and we want to be supportive of Amity’s ability to do the same.  We are committed to “getting the word out” to parents so the BOE can hear, too, that the message is a clear one:  we need a full-time SRO position at ASHS. 

(archived 1/14/08)