Thursday, August 10, 2023
LocalNewsOnly
The Grapevine Police Department is proud to start the new school year with expanded safety measures at each GCISD campus.
Starting August 15, parents, students and educators will notice an increased presence at schools. Every campus will have a full-time School Resource Officer. All Grapevine campuses, along with Bear Creek Elementary in Euless, will have a dedicated Grapevine police officer. The department already had full-time School Resource Officers at the Grapevine high school and both middle schools. The new expansion adds Grapevine officers to all elementary schools.
Legislative requirements under House Bill 3 state all campuses must have an armed security officer present during school hours. Both the City of Grapevine and GCISD Board of Trustees are going beyond that requirement by ensuring police officers will be serving those security roles.
“School safety speaks to the heart of Grapevine. We want families to know that when children
and teachers walk into school, they are under the protection of Grapevine Police,” said Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate.
The top priority of School Resource Officers is safety and security. Duties will include checking doors and locks, maintaining a thorough understanding of each building, engaging with students and teachers, and remaining a visible part of each campus. All School Resource Officers have completed Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) to prepare for the potential threat of any active attack or crisis.
“We are proud to serve in the City of Grapevine, where our city leaders and school board members recognize the importance of positioning our officers in these vital roles. We all share the same goal of keeping our students, educators and community safe,” said Grapevine Police Chief Mike Hamlin.
In addition to the expanded School Resource Officer program, Grapevine Police will also have additional emergency response equipment located inside each campus. There will be no firearms stored with this equipment.
For years, Grapevine Police have been encouraged to visit local schools while on patrol, and many have already cultivated meaningful relationships with students and adults. These visits will continue throughout the school year.
While parents may notice a heightened police presence during the first week of school, please know this is simply for officers to greet families and get to know their community. We are excited to see everyone and look forward to an excellent school year.
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Amanda McNew Media Manager, Grapevine Police Department 1007 Ira E. Woods Avenue Grapevine, Texas 76051 817.410.3205 (Office) 682.321.0110 (Cell) amcnew@grapevinetexas.gov |
