Reg Ion urges VBT board to train two school resource officers

Resident Reg Ion told the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on Oct. 18 that the township needs to provide two school resource officers to make sure one is on duty in case the other one’s wife has a baby or he got a better job.
Ion is increasingly concerned over the safety of the students in the Van Buren Public Schools. Recently a third student this year was found with a loaded gun at the high school.
Ion said Belleville High School currently has one school research officer from the Belleville Police Department. She’s been there 20 years, which is 15-17 years too long under the current police agreement for 3-year terms, he said.
Treasurer Sharry Budd said that the three fulltime elected officials just signed approval for an officer to go out of state for training.
When Ion stressed the need for a second Van Buren Township officer, Supervisor Kevin McNamara said they have to come to an agreement with the school. Supervisor McNamara agreed the school needs two officers and the current officer will stay in place.
Ion said if the township needs money, it has two supervisors and could get rid of the deputy supervisor and use that money for a school resource officer.
“We need a backup plan,” Ion said. “You have money for everything else.” He listed signs and tents.
Ion said there are problems in the schools and while the football scores are high the SAT scores are way down.
“If we can’t keep it safe, nobody’s going to want to come,” Ion said.
“Van Buren Township won’t be a premiere community unless the schools come with it,” McNamara said.
“If we get this resource officer, when would he begin?” asked Trustee Reggie Miller and as far as the need for two, “The day they’re not on duty, that’s when something happens.”
Deputy Police Chief Josh Monte said the officer being trained will bring the training back and train other officers.
He said they want to get in the elementary schools and other schools, adding they will bring in other resources for the schools with Growth Works.
Trustee Miller said mental health issues are important to address and Deputy Monte agreed.
He said a holistic plan for the whole district and an agreement with Growth Works will be brought back to the board.
Treasurer Budd said the students spoke highly of the DARE program when that was offered. She recalled the township had two resource officers and then funding became a problem.
The board was told the officer being trained is passionate about the program.
McNamara asked about the status of the grant for a resource officer and Deputy Monte said it has to come through the school and the township has been working with the school superintendent.
“I hate to depend on a grant,” Ion said.
“It is in the budget,” Budd said of the money for a resource officer.
“We still go after the grant,” McNamara said. He said there’s money out there and the township gets about half of the grants it seeks.