JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Johnson City Police Department plans to use state funding to improve school resource officer (SRO) programs and school safety features.
The funding comes from the statewide school resource officer program grant, meant to help schools place one full-time officer in every school.
All 95 counties in the state have received funding, with about $98 million already distributed.
The supervisor over Johnson City’s SRO unit, Sgt. Jeff Jenkins, said there is already an officer at every school. Science Hill High School has two SROs currently.
Jenkins said the plan is to put the funding toward increasing safety for students and staff and to continue the important work they do every day.
Under Jenkin’s command is Officer Erik Hilton, the SRO at Towne Acres Elementary School. His daily routine consists of checking the doors and perimeters of the school, but it also involves opening cracker bags and milk cartoons in the lunch room.
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Hilton also teaches …