GRANVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Washington County Sheriff calling for police officers in schools following Wednesday’s mass shooting.
In a county with 22 schools, 10,000 Granville High School is the only one with a police officer walking the halls and the Washington County sheriff would like to change that.
“You hope that if someone is targeting a building they’re gonna look at that as a potential hurdle or a threat to them.”
NEWS10 ABC walked the halls with Sergeant Dave Williams, Washington County’s only school resource officer, walked alongside Granville Superintendent Tom McGurl.
“Having an armed police officer in the building does increase our response time for sure if there was an actual incident.”
Not only would Sgt. Williams be first on the scene of a school shooting, his daily interactions with students would help him identify red flags.
“Look at kids that may be suffering some issues and hopefully get them some intervention services at that point.”
A school resource officer in Florida wasn’t able to stop Wednesday’s mass shooting. Still, Washington County Sheriff Jeffry Murphy is calling for an officer in every district.
“I think this is part of the solution. It’s not the answer, but I think it’s a step towards the answer something that we can do on a full-time basis that we’re not doing.”
Sgt. William’s salary is funded by the school but the sheriff says state or federal funding should afford each district their own part-time officer.
“When events like this happen, you have to look at the cost even if it’s just a sense of security and a sense of safety.”
Most people we spoke with agree they’d feel better sending their kids to a school with an officer on site.
“They should have law enforcement there and more security.”
“Absolutely what we’re lacking in this society is integration to authority figures.”
That’s not a problem in Granville where Sgt. Williams’ friendly face is a familiar sight in the hallways.
“I want them to be in a good mood and know that it’s we’re for their safety.”
The sheriff says he’d be more than happy to provide school resource officer training at his office and any other resources that could make the goal a reality.