Commissioners to vote on beefed up school security

CUMMING, Ga. — The shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida that killed 17 students and faculty, followed by threats of violence at schools in Dawson, Hall, Gwinnett, White and other Georgia counties this year, has heightened awareness that more needs to be done to protect schools and school children in Dawson County.

The Dawson County Commissioners will consider a request to beef up the county’s school resource officer (SRO) staff during Thursday’s meeting. In order to better utilize the current SRO staff, Sheriff Jeff Johnson has requested funds to provide off-duty payment to cover the costs associated with traffic direction responsibilities.

Currently, the SROs must vacate their primary duties of securing schools to handle traffic direction and control. Johnson says staffing levels do not allow for this function to be handled by the Patrol Component.

School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs has indicated that the Board of Education will support two additional SRO positions as well as share the cost of traffic control. Johnson believes three positions are needed to allow for each school to have an assigned SRO as well as provide a level of relief for officer’s absences due to illness, family emergencies, court subpoena, etc.

Commissioners also will hear a request by Richmond Honan Development and Acquisitions, LLC to amend an existing Commercial Planned Comprehensive Development (CPCD) on 52.42 acres to allow for a mixed-use senior living campus-style development.

Commissioners also will consider:

⦁ Amendments to the 2017 Capital Improvement Element;

⦁ A Sheriff’s Office application for a parade permit for a motorcycle Ride for Relay for Life;

⦁ A request to upgrade the Magistrate Court clerk’s position from part-time to full-time;

⦁ A request to increase the salary for a Magistrate Court clerk who has received Georgia Information Crime Center certification;

⦁ A request to purchase emergency medical supplies for Emergency Management Services;

⦁ A request to apply for the FY 2018 Homeland Security Grant Program for Emergency Services K-9 Search and Rescue Team;

⦁ A request to write off old debts for ambulance billing;

⦁ Board appointments to the Tax Assessors Board and Tree Preservation Committee; and

⦁ Annexation requests by residents of the Gold Creek subdivision.

 

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