SHAWANO, WI – Over a dozen threats involving schools and students took place last week in Wisconsin.
“This is a great time to talk about what we can provide and what we can and cannot do for the public,” said Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber. “Some of the questions that I have gotten from parents is are we prepared? The answer is yes. We have trained each school in Alice and the schools do drill these type of situations so they are trained.”
In Shawano, Officer Jody Johnson serves as the SRO and says she is spread thin, but she gets a lot of help from trained school staff.
“In Shawano we have one school resource officer for all of the schools, but I am trained in a lot of different areas and we train or facility and staff and they are a huge part of maintaining some sort of order if a situation should arise,” Johnson said.
In the County, the situation is a little tougher.
“We have one lesion officer for five school districts. We cover Tigerton, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Gresham, Bowler and Bonduel,” Sheriff Bieber said. “Parents need to ask themselves can we do more? If the answer is yes we can do more, that’s what they need to stress to their school board.”
He says that is concerning. “We only have one lesion for five school district, it is going to take time.”
One community that has started conversations is Bonduel. The resignation of their police chief is leaving the Village Board with the decision of how to handle the vacancy.
In the past, the Village has always filled the Police Chief position, but since their is not a full-time SRO in Bonduel schools, Bieber says now might be a good time to have that discussion.
“Instead of just filling the position, they may want to look at spending that money on someone that can be in the schools protecting the students and staff.”
Village Board President Russ Gehm says no decision has been made and it will not be made right away.
“We will not make a decision on how to move forward until after the first of the year.”
In the meantime, the Bonduel Police Department has an interim police chief.
Sheriff Bieber says nowadays, having an officer in the building may be one of the only things that gives parents an ease of mind.
“The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is to have a good guy with a gun in the building.”
Jody Johnson says safety is the most important thing that she can provide the staff and students.
“I come to work everyday full well thinking that I may have to intervene, she said. “I have confidence in our ability to react to those situations.”
She also says a lot of help can come from home.
“I personally think that parents can help out by keeping locked and under control and if they have a red flag at home, check these kids before they leave to come to school, but I still believe that school is the safest place for these kids.”
Recently Shawano School District Superintendent Randi Anderson sent a letter to parents in the District, explaining the steps that have been taken to keep things safe in Shawano, and also addressed what parents can do to help.
“We encourage you to speak with your children about the serious nature of making threats, whether verbaly, written or on social media.
Anderson went on to say that all threats are investigated by Administration and Shawano Police and even jokes are subject to serious consequences.
Anderson said some of the general safety procedures include
-a strong partnership with law enforcement and fire.
-a District Safety Coordinator
-District crisis plans
-Specific defined protocols
-Crisis management teams and debriefings
-Skylert mass communication system
-Regular safety drills
-Secure entrances to school buildings
-Surveillance cameras
-An SRO (School Resource Officer)
-Monthly City of Shawano Safety Committee meetings.
Anderson concluded by saying parent engagement is a key.
