Media release from Rome, GA City Schools:
Rome City Schools is committed to continuing to enhance our Keep Schools Safe Initiative and is pleased to announce that the Rome Police Department is providing an extra School Resource Officer (SRO); this began on Monday, Sept. 16.
Rome Chief of Police Denise Downer-McKinney made the announcement during the Rome City Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night Sept. 10 at Rome High School.
“Rome City Schools has about 3,000 students between the middle school and the high school. I’ve known for many years that we needed more than one school resource officer at this high school. With lack of manpower, I could not provide an additional SRO, but we have hired some more officers,” Downer-McKinner said. “Effective this Monday, (Sept. 16) we have added another School Resource Officer for the high school that will also help out at the middle school.”
The additional SRO helps to bolster Rome City Schools Keep Schools Safe Initiative which also includes the Evolv weapons detection devices at the high school and middle school, campus perimeter patrols, window safety film on doors and windows at schools, extra cameras throughout the schools, buzz-in systems at all schools for visitors and several other safety measures the district has put in place.
“We want to thank Chief Downer-McKinney and the Rome Police Department for everything they do for Rome City Schools,” Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland said. “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we appreciate everything the Rome Police Department does to help us ensure that safety.”
Chief Downer-McKinney also spoke about her long-standing personal relationship with Rome City Schools.
“As I’ve told the school board many times, I have a special place in my heart for Rome City Schools. I taught the D.A.R.E. Program at Rome City Schools for many years,” Downer-McKinney said. “My children attended Rome City Schools. My grandchildren graduated and also attended Rome City Schools. So that special place for me is paramount. We ensure that we are going to protect our students and staff by any means necessary.”
Along with this the Rome Police Department and Rome City Schools want to remind everyone to be vigilant and that we take all threats seriously.
“We take all threats to our schools seriously. There is a no-tolerance policy for anyone threatening violence or harm at a school. These threats are not jokes, and the Rome Police Department will take appropriate action,” Downer-McKinney said.
If you or someone you know is witness to written or spoken threats of violence or destruction, please call 9-1-1, the Anonymous Crime Tip Line at 706-236-5000, or the Rome Police Department at 706-238-5111.
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