Senator Gallivan Announces Funding to Support School Resource Officers

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) visited Eden Central School District Tuesday to announce funding for a new School Resource Officer (SRO) program.  Eden becomes the latest local school district to provide a uniformed police officer in its schools to promote student safety, conflict resolution and anti-bullying initiatives. Senator Gallivan secured a $25,000 grant to support the Eden SRO.  The Eden Central School District and the Town of Eden have also agreed to help fund the program.
 
“As a former state trooper and Erie County Sheriff, I believe strongly in the SRO program as a way to ensure safety in our schools and build a positive relationship between law enforcement and students,” Senator Gallivan said.  “By working with administrators, faculty, students and parents, these officers help identify safety issues, train personnel and resolve conflicts before they become more serious. This is a wonderful example of how the state and local leaders can share resources to provide an important community service.”   
 
Two part-time SRO’s, Officer Brian Burgstahler and Sergeant Shawn Bishop, will split time working in Eden’s three school buildings.
 
“The town and the district both recognized the importance of school safety, as well as the list of other benefits that an SRO program brings, and made it a top priority,” said Melissa Hartman, Eden Town Supervisor.  “We would not have been able to accomplish this goal if it was not for the state funding secured by Senator Gallivan.  The inter-municipality agreement is for five years in hopes that it will be extended for many years to come.  We will continue to advocate for SRO funding as part of the state budget.” 
 
“The Eden Central School District and the Eden community are immensely grateful for this generous grant secured by Senator Gallivan to make it possible for an SRO to be on site every day that students are in attendance,” said Sandra Anzalone, Eden School Superintendent.  “We have noticed an immediate positive impact across our entire PK-12 student population. Our SRO's have held presentations for students about being safe in a crosswalk, been in classrooms reading books about SRO's with our primary and elementary students, attended Open House to introduce themselves to parents, and have attended sporting events with our middle and high school students. It is common to see our younger students giving one of our SRO's a "high five" and our high school students have told us that they feel safer having an SRO in the building.”
 
SRO’s work closely with school administrators, faculty and staff on school safety plans and assist in required safety audits of all school buildings.  They also visit classrooms and coordinate with teachers to present information on internet and social media safety, drug and alcohol abuse, heroin and opioid use and personal safety tips.
 
Senator Gallivan has secured state funding to support SRO programs in school districts throughout the 59th Senate District, including Alden Central, East Aurora Union Free School District,  Holland Central, Iroquois Central, North Collins Central, Springville-Griffith Institute and West Seneca Central. 
 
Senator Gallivan also secured funding to support SRO’s in several districts in Wyoming and Livingston counties. 

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