Updated 01/03/2013 04:33 PM
Resource officers reinstated at Orange County BOCES
Orange County BOCES students are seeing a change on campus. Our Elaina Athans tells us why.
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GOSHEN, N.Y. -- "We had taken it out about a year ago, a year-and-a-half ago, but now we've reconsidered," said Orange County Executive Ed Diana.
The horrific killings in Newtown, Connecticut led Orange County to reconsider and reinstate Sheriff’s deputies to Orange Ulster BOCES. Two SROs returned to the regional school for patrols after a yearlong hiatus. One officer is assigned to the Emanuel Axelrod Center for special needs students, the other to the Career and Technic Education Building for 11th and 12th graders.
BOCES and the county have been discussing the measure for some time. The school massacre in Newtown swiftly moved talks to action.
"That tragic event certainly made us much more aware. Everybody's much more aware. So we think this helps safety, security, and more importantly the students themselves and their parents will feel much more comfortable," said Diana.
The deputies currently stationed at BOCES are temporary until permanent ones are in place. The county just authorized two new hires. BOCES will absorb the cost of the police presence: salaries and benefits. The school's executive director wouldn't say exactly how much, but that it'll range from $75,000 to $100,000. A price to pay for an armed authority figure, who's role is to foster a relationship with the student body and keep young lives safe.
"In situations like this, prevention is what the impotence is. You're not installing a reaction force. You're trying to prevent things from occurring," said Orange County Undersheriff Ken Jones.