GOODYEAR, Ariz. -
The issue of guns on campus has become a hot topic. Politicians and school districts are proposing ideas, some of them controversial, to beef up security.
But, in Goodyear, police and a few schools are trying something they believe will work very well.
The schools have given Goodyear Police officers small offices on campus.
The idea is that the officers could go there to do paperwork, make phone calls -- whatever they would need to do in an office. It's nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. The offices are on the campus, so if anything happens, an officer is there. The response would be instantaneous.
Goodyear PD approached the school's principal with the idea.
"I said we would be happy to have you guys do something on our campus. It would be great to have you guys around. Show some presence in our community," said Dave Bogart, Westar Elementary principal.
Westar Elementary, on the southern edge of the city, just got one. The offices are up and running at two other schools.
"It's an extra visibility, it give us a chance for our officers to come in. Do reports. Interact with students. It is just a great thing," said Chief Jerry Geier, Goodyear Police Dept.
One proposal from politicians working its way through the legislature would give a school staff member access to a gun. Parents at this Goodyear school like their district plan.
"Where is our vote to see if a teacher is stable enough to be carrying a gun? We don't have any say in that. But a police officer, that is someone who has been trained, we see him as an authority figure and trusted," said parent Victor Hernandez.
"It might be a good idea to have their presence be known. People know that they are here," said parent Roxanne Holeva.
The district already has a school resource officer but that officer is split between a couple of schools. Hiring more would cost more -- but that isn't the case with Goodyear Police.
"There is no budget impact. It is free for both the school district and the police department," said Chief Geier.
Police and the school tell us they also feel having the officer on campus able to interact with the students will be a big plus.
