.
Feedback

Gwinnett County Police Increase Presence at Local Schools

In light of the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., the department is ramping up a presence at schools as a precaution against any type of "copy cat" incident.

In light of the horrific mass shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut, the Gwinnett County Police Department will be conducting increased police patrols in and around the schools within Gwinnett County, according to Public Information Officer Cpl. Edwin Ritter.

"These increased patrols will be a joint effort with the Gwinnett County School Police and Uniformed Officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department," he said Friday in a press release. "Officers will be assigned to every school within Gwinnett County Police Jurisdiction and these patrols will last for the next several days."

The Gwinnett County Police Department takes the safety and welfare of all of the citizens within Gwinnett County seriously. The Department is conducting this proactive measure to help prevent any type of “Copy Cat” or similar incident from occurring within Gwinnett County.

David Binder December 14, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Well these days police presence is always a good idea in our schools. It's a shame. BUT this was an isolated incudent of a mentally unstable man. I think increased officers in the school may tend to upset ot scare the students.
Tammy Osier December 15, 2012 at 02:53 am
David, this is the only time I have ever diagreed with you. Police presence makes children and staff feel safe. Most school have a very strict policy for signing in, outside doors are locked etc... However, it would probably be easy in some for someone to bypass the office and enter the building unawares. I have always been instructed that if I see anyone without a tag, to ask them if I can help and direct them to the office. For added measure, I walk them there. Even if we had security officers present somewhere in the lobby outside the office and to walk around the building periodically, it would decrease the chances incredibly. Most schools I've worked in, the kids love our officers. It also helps for kids to see Officers of the law as the good guys and know that their job is to protect and help.
Tammy Osier December 15, 2012 at 02:56 am
In fact, I wrote my first story for the Patch about our local Resource Officers and their duties. They do way more than just look for bad guys.
http://dacula.patch.com/blog_posts/local-police-resource-officers-provide-much-needed-help-for-parents
thcooper69 December 15, 2012 at 01:01 pm
im all for higher taxes for 3 cops at every school ,one to walk tha halls and one to moniter cameras watchin tha kids and finatical parents who are always making demands and goin detriot pawn all ova tha faculity
Tammy Osier December 15, 2012 at 02:29 pm
Coop, you don't even need high taxes. You need a consistent person to check the comings and goings in and out of the school. Most schools are close knit and know when a stranger is present. 9 out of 10 times it may just be a parent that forgot to sign in through the office, but there's always that one time and that's the time that I'm willing to anger a few people over being cautious.
Security officers from an agency wouldn't cost that much to maintain and PTA and other sources could pay for it. It's a real shame that we even have to think in this vein, but this is the day we live in.
Vinnie December 15, 2012 at 07:08 pm
In NYC they have a uniformed police officer at every school...
Jim Stephenson December 15, 2012 at 08:47 pm
Each school in our country needs metal detectors at the door, and armed monitors watching the screens. This is NOT an isolated case.....just count the number of school shootings since Columbine!
Tammy Osier December 15, 2012 at 11:43 pm
We get used to the door that goes off when you leave WalMart, so why not? I worked in the Alternative school, and a survey of kids showed that it made them feel safer having them at the door. Think about it. Even if you're there for having gotten into a small amount of trouble, someone else may be there who has some real issues. It's got make you're day go smoother knowing that that person wasn't able to bring a weapon to school to hurt you or someone else. Also, I realize this is a hot button with many, but school uniforms were a safety factor. Our kids wore white shirt, khaki pants, black shoes. If another teenager was on campus, we would immediately know that they were not one of our kids. When time is an issue is tragic situations, uniforms made it a timely decision if it ever had to be made. I seriously, felt safe there.
Jim Stephenson December 16, 2012 at 01:51 pm
Actually, uniforms make sense for a number of reasons; they take the guesswork out of what to wear, they take away the pressure to wearing the newest, most expensive styles and, as you said, they make outsiders stand out. Some may consider uniforms as an elitist thing, or associated with Catholic schools, but they really do make sense.
U B ILL'N December 19, 2012 at 09:26 pm
Ok BIg Brother! This is random act of violence. You can't disect every aspect of it what caused it. Its terrible and its a tragedy and its not fair but be careful what you ask for.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Loganville-Grayson Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 18, 2013 at 09:49 pm
Rabies tag on dog leads to a disconnected owners number
David Binder June 18, 2013 at 06:03 pm
And it's not posting my comment how I typed it. It's jumbled on the "Boards" banner.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 06:11 pm
Yea, sorry David. We are still dealing with some "issues." It rejected Jason's blog, andRead More none of us, not even our top regional editor, is being given authority to release it. Poor Jason, I know he so hates being rejected! And we hate it happening to him. The people not being "bugged" by technical issues, however, are reporting that it is super easy to use.
Tammy Osier June 18, 2013 at 01:08 am
Sadly, Mr. Newman, we have people who live in a utopic vision of the world and refuse to believeRead More that this can happen. Sounds a bit like 1984. Ironic too, is that in the bible, when the Lord was referring to people being blinded and going astray, he referred to them as sheep, and that phrase has been coined today to denote the same type of mentality. This could happen if our watchmen stop guarding the gate.
Karsten Torch June 18, 2013 at 12:39 pm
What's sad is that people will accuse you of needing a tinfoil hat because of this post. But weRead More are marching inexorably toward this end, the only thing we can really control is how quickly or slowly we get there.....
TheSkalawag June 18, 2013 at 08:29 pm
I don't think that Ray needs a tinfoil hat but I just don't see the inexorable march to theRead More dystopian world Ray is foretelling either. I do understand the gloom and doom outlook and I attribute that to the unrealistic quest for the Norman Rockwell version of life in America. That kind of life was made for tv. Life never really was like that. At least not that I remember anyway. And I would wager not for the majority of Americans.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Tom, I will see if I can find the connection.
Sharon Swanepoel (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 05:51 pm
Good news! Her name is Izzi and she has been reunited with her owners.
Tom Laverick June 18, 2013 at 09:42 pm
Great News!!!!
tijensen June 15, 2013 at 12:34 pm
The better assignment would have been how could you have written a letter to try and convince themRead More not to commit suicide. To persuade them about all the wonderful things you love about them, how special they are and what the world would miss if they were not in it. A creative teacher could have used the same exercise to teach a life lesson that may have helped someone save a life down the road.
Tammy Osier June 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm
TJ, exactly. Like you said, a GOOD teacher would have found a way to make students think outside theRead More box yet still examine the mood of the story. But I do agree with ggy that it might have been more appropriate for a college aged student. High school (girls especially) have so much drama going on inside of them, and confusion about so many things, that it might be impossible for them to be objective in an assignment like that. Boo to the teacher.
flyinby June 15, 2013 at 08:34 pm
strikes me as more subversive attempts by perverted minds dedicated to influence all our childrenRead More with this sick mindset: http://larouchepac.com/node/11188 http://www.naturalnews.com/040744_euthanasia_children_mercy_killings.html http://www.lifenews.com/2013/06/06/sarah-palin-blasts-sebelius-for-denying-girls-lifesaving-lung-transplant/ http://cnsnews.com/blog/judie-brown/lives-unworthy-be-lived-and-polst http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/the-elite-are-attempting-to-convince-us-that-killing-off-our-sick-grandparents-is-cool-and-trendy suicides higher than car crashes past few yrs http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2207089/56-million-suicide-prevention-programme-launched-study-reveals-Americans-lives-die-car-crashes.html http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/08/more-states-consider-legalizing-assisted-suicide-as-baby-boomers-age/
Octo Slash June 14, 2013 at 12:18 pm
My kids drink coffee every morning because they need something to accompany their cigarettes.
Tammy Osier June 14, 2013 at 01:12 pm
Tr - the perfect diet - the Mediterranean diet has a lot of fish in it. Olive oils etc... OurRead More American diet has a lot of animal fat in it and look at us as opposed to other nations! Fish oil is brain food. A multi is good, but we should ask our pediatricians about adding fish oil to our kids' diets. We should get our (good) fats through diet. Good fats help vitamins go where they are supposed to and do what they're supposed to do.
Deedee June 15, 2013 at 08:12 pm
My grandma always drunk coffee all day and I started around 30 and I am no good without at least oneRead More cup a day but she always stated that we couldn't have any as kids because it will stunt our growth. I have always felt that there is something to many of those old sayings and did not let my son touch it.
Tammy Osier June 17, 2013 at 01:53 pm
DR, seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? I'd like to hear from someone who is actually from there toRead More find out their spin on why they even enter a contestant in the first place. It's my understanding that a woman that shows that much skin in public will be flogged or worse? Maybe democracy is taking ahold in some places, who knows?
Good Grief Y'all June 17, 2013 at 03:24 pm
I was wrong. Guys are interested pageants. You would no doubt be happy if the contestants justRead More wore the face shawl with their bikinis.
Karsten Torch June 17, 2013 at 04:30 pm
Couple of thoughts - One, why hold it in a land where there is going to be this kind of protest?Read More Just move it and don't worry about it. Other, I find it interesting how the Muslims want us to be understanding and inclusive of their beliefs, but don't even think they'll allow anything they don't agree with. Just a tad bit hypocritical...
R June 14, 2013 at 02:06 am
You mean the FEES don't you? Cause they aint taxes don't you know...
Bonnie June 14, 2013 at 11:50 am
I call it a "rainbow!"
M.K. Osborne June 14, 2013 at 03:30 pm
Fees is when its lightning too .
Mr. B June 13, 2013 at 01:29 pm
They're not Americans. They don't deserve to step foot on American soil.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:34 pm
Meh, a difference without distinction.
Good Grief Y'all June 13, 2013 at 01:37 pm
Huh, you learn something once in a while on Patch blog threads. I didn't know you must be anRead More American citizen to be tried and convicted of crimes against America . . . ;p I think John and Sarah could handle them . . . you betcha! They would probably beg to be sent back to Gitmo. LOL
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 7, 2013 at 10:35 am
We don't know yet..it was not me who found her. They had Gwinnett pick her up after staying withherRead More for a few hours..we will know after they process her there. I have contacted golden retriever rescues to let them know so they can see if they have lost ads ..or if need be rescue her
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 8, 2013 at 02:24 am
She is so sad and missing her owner ANIMAL ID#32243 I am in PEN 114, FEMALE, GOLDEN RETRIEVER. TheRead More shelter thinks I am 3 YEARS OLD. I will be available for adoption starting 6/12/13. FOUND STRAY, LARGE, FRIENDLY Contact the shelter for more info 770-339-3200.
EMILY GOLDSTEIN June 10, 2013 at 03:11 am
Reunited!