Submitted By Sheriff Carmine Marceno
As your Sheriff, I am always concerned about the safety and well-being of Lee County students. I want to ensure student safety from the moment your child leaves home in the morning until they return at the end of the day.
I am incredibly proud of you, the residents of Lehigh, who continue to be a part of a countywide movement to increase safety measures in your neighborhoods. Not only has Lee County Government installed more lights across the area to increase visibility while children wait for their bus in the early morning hours, but benches have been added so kids can stay clear of the roadway.
Our work is not done and as we continue to move forward together to place the safety of our children first, I would like to share with you an initiative that is very personal to me and which I immediately established when I took office.
My initiative, Safe Kids – Safe Schools, includes measures for keeping children safe when walking to the bus stop, while at the bus stop, when being transported by school bus and while attending school.
Some of the measures contained within the Safe Kids – Safe Schools initiative are:
- Patrol deputies in each district have been made familiar with the location of every bus stop and monitor them regularly during their morning and afternoon patrols.
- Our traffic unit, in addition to the patrol deputies, monitor school zones to prevent speeding and ensure that school buses are not passed illegally, while picking up and dropping off students.
- School resource officers have been placed in each and every school to ensure campus safety and address each school’s particular needs. They also serve as great mentors to the students.
- Our Youth Services division has established Jr. Cadet, Cadet and Explorer programs in the county’s public schools, to provide opportunities for students who are interested in participating in community service projects while building a knowledge of and relationship with law enforcement.
While the safety of students and school staff is always on my mind, I can’t help but think about the changes to this school year due to COVID-19. These are challenging times, but we will get through this together. Although the stands may not be as full and the classrooms a little quieter, I want you to know that I am rooting for you and cheering you on. Best of luck to all the Jags and Lightning students this year!
If you or your child has any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1000.
