Police Presence Declines in Schools Due to Budget Cutbacks

Police officers monitoring Montgomery County schools will be spread thin this year after the county recently announced cut backs to their School Resource Officers program from 27 officers to nine.

Officers assigned to schools, previously known as Educational Facilities Officers, were assigned one per high school in the county. Because of the budget cuts, this year's nine remaining officers have been assigned to six districts. Officers will rotate through each district, made up of two to six high schools.

Montgomery County Police spokeswoman Angela Cruz said changing the program's name was simply following a national trend, and that the cutbacks in staff have been the significant change. Officers no longer assigned to high schools were reassigned to other positions within the police force.

"It is a difficult time for the officers," she said, particularly for those who were attached to the students.

Wheaton High School Principal Kevin Lowndes is also concerned that it may become a more difficult time for the schools. Wheaton's SRO district includes Einstein, Kennedy, Blake, Sherwood, and Magruder.

Officers Diane Henderson-Neal, one of three officers assigned to this district said she is fortunate enough to still cover Magruder High School, where she worked last year, but that the cutbacks were "not good news."

Henderson-Neal is joined by Officers Anna Walker and Brett Mavritte.

Two officers, Roslyn Mills and Rodney Barnes will cover Northwood, Blair, Springbrook, and Paint Branch High Schools.

Lowndes said the policeman assigned to Wheaton for the past two years, Officer Edward Rodriguez, was not only good for the school, but for the neighborhood. After being at school all day, attending sports games as well as extra-curricular activities, Officer Rodriguez was considered an intricate part of the school.

In addition, Rodriguez's ability to speak Spanish was an asset for a school where more than half the school population speaks the language. Rodriguez talked to parents when needed.

"He became part of Wheaton High School," said Lowndes.

Constant police presence resulted in fewer fights and suspensions.

"We are sorry that this [budget cutback] happened," said Lowndes. "Preventing problems from happening is a better way to go than reacting when things do happen."

Although the police presence has decreased, each school in the county has security personnel—school employees who serve as monitors and assist during emergencies. Wheaton High School has five security members. Security members are not allowed to arrest or touch the students.