Palmerton Reports on Armed Officers in Schools
Palmerton Area School District — KRE Security LLC. Case Report
Palmerton Area School District hired three armed security officers in late November and the early reviews have been nothing but positive.
Administrators spoke last week about the influence the three have had since coming on board and the connection they are making with students.
"Our officer has really gotten to know the students. Many of them have a shared interest in bodybuilding and that may sound trivial, but that kind of connection with the kids is really important. It builds trust."
— Paula Husar, High School Principal
[ Contract Details ]
The district's school board unanimously approved an agreement with KRE Security LLC in November in the amount of $155,280, which will be prorated for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
[ Officer Deployment ]
[ Post 1 ]
Towamensing Elementary
One Officer Assigned
[ Post 2 ]
S.S. Palmer Elementary & Parkside
One Officer Assigned
[ Post 3 ]
Junior High / High School Complex
One Officer Assigned
[ Principal Feedback ]
"The atmosphere has definitely improved. He is interacting with students well and I think they enjoy having him there."
— Mary Brumbach, S.S. Palmer & Parkside Principal
"It is also comforting to know that there is someone else in the building who is certified in CPR and first-aid."
— Christine Steigerwalt, Towamensing Elementary Principal
[ Superintendent's Statement ]
"They will have routine safety and security duties," Palmerton's acting Superintendent Dr. Al Lonoconus said. "We want them to become a presence in the schools, be in the hallways working alongside our regular school personnel."
At the junior high school, Principal Rich DeSocio said, things are off to an equally great start and students can be seen high-fiving the officer in the hallway and talking with him during lunch periods.
"I know our discipline numbers were down slightly in December," Husar said, "so hopefully it will continue to have a positive impact all around."
[ Operational Results ]
- — Student discipline numbers down in December
- — Improved school atmosphere across all three buildings
- — Officers certified in CPR and first-aid — added safety layer
- — Strong trust bonds formed with students across all grade levels
Interested in armed school security for your district?
