City of Gainesville - File #: 121001.

• File #: 121001.
• Version: 1
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: Passed
• File created: 4/4/2013
• In control: City Commission
• On agenda: 6/6/2013
• Final action: 6/6/2013
• Title: Presentation Prepared By The School Safety Workgroup Appointed By Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Chief Tony Jones and Superintendent Dan Boyd (B) This is to request that the City Commission Hear a Presentation on School Safety

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/6/2013	1	City Commission	Approved	Pass

Title
Presentation Prepared By The School Safety Workgroup Appointed By Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Chief Tony Jones and Superintendent Dan Boyd (B)

This is to request that the City Commission Hear a Presentation on School Safety

Explanation
The events of recent shooting incidents and more specifically the Sandy Hook Elementary School Mass Murders incident in Newtown, Connecticut has caused communities nationwide to take inventory of school safety. Most communities are attempting to balance safety concerns with the harsh realities of the budgetary constraints facing all levels of government nationwide in the United States. Nevertheless, the local law enforcement community of the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and Alachua Police Department (APD) have partnered with the School Board of Alachua County to conduct a review of school safety in Alachua County. A workgroup was formed and tasked with examining existing safety measures, developing recommendations to improve overall school safety, and to foster a positive rapport with the elementary students, their staff, and parents.
Each of the above listed partners independently reviewed current school safety measures and identified shortcomings. Upon meeting as a workgroup it was quickly identified that some immediate steps should be undertaken in part to allay the fears of students, parents and school board employees. Consequently, the ACSO and the GPD temporarily reassigned personnel to provide law enforcement coverage to elementary schools.
The workgroup developed an Action Plan that was unanimously approved by the representative partners. The workgroup believed that it was imperative that local legislative bodies receive the recommended Action Plan for future consideration.
Also at this time, the Office of Community Oriented Policing has released a request for proposal for 2013. Special emphasis is being placed on hiring full-time sworn law enforcement officers to serve a...