Greenville considers merits of hiring school security officer

By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer

    GREENVILLE — Police Chief Jeff Pomerleau dispensed with the rumor circulating through town that he didn’t support the hiring of a school resource officer. Town officials have considered hiring a resource officer at an estimated $60,000 cost per year following the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last year in Connecticut.
    Pomerleau told 41 residents, who attended a public forum on Monday about ways to improve school safety, that the community should first have a discussion about both the external and internal threats which may put the school’s 223 students in danger, prior to hiring a resource officer.

    “We need to make a point in the community to educate ourselves as to what the real threat to our kids  is and how to protect them,” Pomerleau said. “We’ve mentioned hiring a school resource officer several times. In Florida, one played a big role in thwarting an armed intruder, but there are other forces out there. Schools are competing for a shrinking pot of money so we need to first consider all of the options.”
    Superintendent Beth Lorigan explained that the school committee had implemented several precautions to protect the school from threats — both external and internal. The school had installed a video surveillance system, the school entrance has been locked and teachers are required to wear identification badges. School officials are also considering installing a buzzer system to allow visitors to identify themselves prior to entering the school.
    While the events of Sandy Hook are still etched in the public’s mind, school officials believe internal threats are  bigger than an external one like an armed intruder. Greenville school officials have begun to identify students who appear dissatisfied, unhappy or depressed within the school. The committee has initiated a middle school program aimed at sixth-graders emphasizing good citizenship and preventing bullying.
    Officials have also implemented a new safety drill to go along with the 10-state mandated fire drills. The new drill prepares the school to combat the threat of an armed intruder. Two teachers described the recent changes as improving the school’s overall preparedness in combating a threat.
    “I feel safe in the school,” said Isaac Crabtree, a high school science teacher. “I think the recent changes have made everyone feel better about school safety.”
    The public discussion later began to focus on whether the community should hire a school resource officer. Pomerleau recommended that the officer should have at the minimum completed the 300-hour training course for reserve officers. He advised the candidate should also have completed the 18-week law enforcement training course at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
    Other residents believed the school would be better served by hiring a school counselor who could deal with students who may need assistance in coping with life’s challenges. Whatever decision the school committee makes is likely to come soon.
    School Committee Chairman John Cobb indicated that the board was nearing completion of the budget process for the next school year. The board would consider funding a resource officer when they held a budget workshop on Tuesday
    “This is an important consideration for the five school committee members. It is also important to receive input from the public about whether to hire a resource officer,” Cobb said. “I found tonight’s discussion to be helpful. But the window is closing for this year so I expect that decision to me made soon.”
    If the school committee recommends against hiring a school resource officer, residents may have another chance to voice their opinion. Several residents expressed interest about putting the proposal on the warrant at the June town meeting.