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With the new school year officially under way in Westchester County, County Executive Ken Jenkins has finalized an agreement with the Lakeland Central School District to provide three School Resource Officers (SROs), strengthening the County’s ongoing commitment to school safety and collaboration with local school districts.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Nothing is more important than making sure our children can go to school each day in an environment where they feel safe, supported and ready to learn. This agreement reflects what good government is supposed to look like – the County and the Lakeland Central School District working together to identify a need, find a solution and deliver for our families. These officers will be part of the school community, building relationships with students and staff while providing an additional layer of safety and security.”
Superintendent of the Lakeland School District Dr. Karen Gagliardi said: “The safety and security of our students and staff is always our highest priority, and our School Resource Officers are an important part of that commitment. SROs do more than provide a visible layer of security – they build relationships with our students and staff, become trusted partners in our schools, and work closely with our administrators and law enforcement partners to help keep our school communities safe. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Westchester County to continue this important program as part of our comprehensive approach to school safety and security.”
Westchester County Commissioner of Public Safety Terrance Raynor said: “Our Department is grateful for the trust that has been shown in our School Resource Officers by the Lakeland Central School District, and by the other four districts where we serve. We are committed to the safety and security of these school communities and work hard every day to build even stronger relationships with students, teachers, administrators and staff. In addition to being a visible presence, SROs are highly trained to assist schools with emergency planning, crisis intervention, substance abuse prevention and mentorship.”
Under the agreement, three members of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety will serve as SROs within the Lakeland Central School District. The officers will work closely with school administrators, faculty, students and families to help maintain safe and welcoming learning environments while building positive relationships between young people and law enforcement. SROs have been in the Lakeland Central School district since the fall of 2018.
The County’s School Resource Officer program is designed to enhance school safety while emphasizing prevention, communication and relationship-building. SROs serve as a direct connection between schools and the Department of Public Safety and can assist with safety planning, emergency preparedness and issues affecting students and the broader school community. Lakeland is one of five school districts that have contracts with Westchester County to provide County Police SROs in their schools. Other districts include Somers, North Salem, Katonah-Lewisboro and Hendrick Hudson.
The County’s five-year contract with the Lakeland Central School District will continue through the 2030-2031 school year.