Central Valley District Beefs Up Security Patrols Around Schools

Thu., Dec. 10, 1998

By Angie Gaddy angieg@spokesman.com

Playground bullies and bad guys, beware. Someone’s watching.

Concerned about school children’s safety on their way to and from school, a group of Sheriff’s department volunteers has beefed up patrol at Central Valley schools.

Three patrol teams from SCOPE-Central Valley are heading out weekly to watch for suspicious vehicles, afterschool fights and speeders.

“We want to be visible so if kids have a problem they can come to us,” said Garry Richards, who patrols through the school district.

Richards and partner, Tom Towey, look for unusual groups of kids, people sitting in cars that look out of place, graffiti and anything Central Valley security wants them to patrol.

“We felt that we’ve always had a gap between when students get out of school and when they get home,” said Charlie Hollen, safety resource officer for the Central Valley school district.

Before the patrol began a few months ago, the school district didn’t have any patrol other than if the Sheriff’s deputies patrolled past the schools during the day, Hollen said.

“One of the things it’s done is open up communication,” Hollen said.

Now that the school and volunteers work together, the volunteers will swing by sports events at night if they’re on a night patrol of the area.

And while the program has just begun, volunteers and school district officials say so far there’s been few incidents to cause concern.

Volunteers keep cellular telephones on hand if kids need help. Often they get the “OK” sign from kids walking by.

“We’re the eyes and ears for the community,” said volunteer Deanna Hormann. “I think (the kids) recognize we’re doing it.”

Volunteers hope to increase patrols and eventually would like to create “safe zones” around schools in the Central Valley district.

The zones would have designated homes kids could go to if they ever needed help on their way to and from school, said Tom Towey.

But, said Towey, “Right now we don’t have the volunteers or the resources to do that.”

Their office has about 20 active members.

Those interested in helping can call SCOPE Central Valley at 928-3807.

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