(Atlantic) In June, the City of Atlantic and the Atlantic Community School District agreed to collaborate and hire a School Resource Officer. Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue and the School District applied for a Department of Justice COPS grant to initiate the program. At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Police Chief Hogue announced they were one of five entities approved for the grant.
Chief Hogue says the grant is worth $125,000 and will be distributed over three years. The department will begin hiring a school resource officer (SRO), an employee of the Police Department and the City. Hogue says the SRO will develop the partnership nine months out of the year and assist the school district.
Dr. Johnsen stated she appreciated the City and the Police Department working with the School District for agreeing to pursue the idea of having a School Resource Officer.
Chief Hogue mentioned that the new School Resource Officer complements the Governor’s School Safety Bureau, which now provides schools with funding to purchase radios and other safety features for their buildings.
Meanwhile, the Police Department continues fundraising for the added equipment needed for this position. Camblin Mechanical presented a check for $5,000 for the fund, T-Fred donated a check for $2000, and the Elbow Room gave the Police Department a donation, thanking them for helping them during RAGBRAI. Additionally, the proceeds from the Annual Rotary Club Auction Raffle will go towards this fund.
(Photo: Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue and Atlantic Schools Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen)
