Schools
Should Laurel High School Have an Armed Police Officer?
LHS is the county's only high school without a dedicated school resource officer, the Laurel Leader reports.
Laurel High School administrators say they're heavily focused on safety and security despite the absence of an armed police officer on campus, the Laurel Leader reports.
According to the Leader, LHS is the only public high school in Prince George's County currently without a school resource officer, a position typically staffed by the county or local police force.
But Principal Dwayne Jones and investigator/counselor Deborah Toppins told the paper they're comfortable with the school's security team and believe they have a good working relationship with Laurel Police.
Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The department patrols regularly in and around the school and was recently instrumental in defusing a situation in which a student was accused of threatening to "shoot and kill others." He was quickly admitted to an area hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Still, both Jones and the Laurel Police Chief Jimmy Brooks said they'd be interested in having a full-time SRO for the school if funding becomes available.
Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Read the full story from the Laurel Leader.
Do you think Laurel High School should have a school resource officer? Is it a smart investment for the county? Let us know in the comments.
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