Local law enforcement officers have a new option for lunch - Franklin County schools - as a way for them to become more involved with students.
On Wednesday the district kicked off its adopt-a-school program. The program, which doesn"t have an official name, seeks to improve officer relationships with students, according to Capt. Gregg Muravchick, founder of the program.
"We want them (students) to feel more comfortable, to have a safe environment and feel safe," Muravchick said.
Muravchick, who is also one of the school resource officers at Franklin County High School, approached his bosses and school officials about starting the program a few months ago. He said aside from safer lunches, officer presence should improve the academic atmosphere.
"It creates a better learning environment, he said.
By talking to students, Muravchick said the relationship between officers and students should strengthen, making students more comfortable to go to officers for advice.
Thirty-five officers from a number of agencies ate lunch at all of the district"s schools Wednesday, including 10 at FCHS.
Many officers were eager to participate in the program, Muravchick said.
"We all have kids in the community," he said of officers. "After talking to officers, it was a positive response."
Officer David Marques, with the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, chatted with students over pizza at FCHS during the kick-off. He said it was his first time eating lunch at the school and he enjoyed talking to students about classes and extracurricular activities.
"I just think it"s a good idea to meet kids and talk to them on a regular basis," Marques said.
Sophomore Ashley Decker said she thinks officer presence will curb violence at schools by making students think twice about bringing a gun to school.
"I think it will be a lot safer," she said.
Decker said she was happy with the new program.
"It means a lot, they (officers) care about students in our community and want to get to know us," she said.
FCHS Principal Sharon Collett also expressed excitement about officer plans to visit the school more often.
"We love it," she said. "Having presence in the building helps students to understand they"re safe and OK."
Muravchick said a similar program existed at Bondurant Middle School several years ago. He said this time all schools are involved as well as six local agencies: the Franklin County Sheriff"s Office, Frankfort Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Kentucky State University Police and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Rescue.
At the board of education"s April 2 meeting, members approved the program and agreed to offer free breakfast or lunch to officers at any of the district"s 10 schools at any time.
"I want to try to involve all schools in the district," Muravchick said.
Muravchick said he was pleased with the school board"s approval and its agreement to pay for officer lunches with district funds.
"The outcome and benefits far outweigh costs," he said.
Collett said she wasn"t worried about the cost either.
"We want them to come everyday and eat us out of house and home," she said.
Same day, student brings BB Gun to school
Parents of students at Bondurant Middle School on Wednesday received a letter regarding a student having a BB gun on a school bus.
According to the letter, BMS principal Greg Gaby received a report from one of the district"s elementary schools of a possible weapon on a middle school student. Gaby and school resource officer/Franklin County Sheriff"s Deputy Rick Carrier searched the student when he stepped off the bus and discovered the unloaded gun.
"Fortunately, there was no real danger or threat to other students," Gaby wrote. "I do not think that the BB gun was brought to school for any malicious reason. The situation was handled quickly and without any problems."
Franklin County Public Schools Communications Coordinator Wayne Dominick said he did not have the age or grade of the student. He said the student is being suspended.
The incident happened the same day local law enforcement officials kicked off a program to increase presence at the district"s schools. Last week two girls from Franklin County High School were arrested for writing a letter implicating another student in the threat of a shooting similar to Virginia Tech. A FCHS boy was also charged with terroristic threatening after making threats and four students at Elkhorn Middle School were charged Friday for bringing knives to school.