Resource Officer Approved For BH Schools

bhhighschool-7
bhhighschool-7

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a contract for the sheriff’s department to provide a school resource officer at Benton Harbor High School. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey tells WSJM News the department has been providing two deputies at the school for 25 days now. That’s since a rash of 17 fights happened to start out the school year. Bailey says they’ve had two or three since the deputies were placed at the high school.

“There’s been less fights,” Bailey said. “The kids are great over there, very respectful. Do we still have a few issues? Yeah, but we’re going to work those out.”

Under the new agreement, the sheriff’s department and Michigan State Police will each have an officer at the school starting November 5.

“We’re excited about it, the school’s excited about it, and I think the students are excited about it,” Bailey said, “We’re going to be able to do some good things. The kids are getting an education. That’s the most important thing.”

Bailey says the school district is paying for the sheriff’s deputy. The school, in turn, is getting funding for the police presence from the state. A grant program will pay for the Michigan State Police trooper. Bailey told commissioners Thursday he often stops by the high school and hears thanks from both kids and teachers.