BUTLER, Pa. — Since the start of the school year, Butler Area School District has seen a larger increase in crime at school than in prior years, including fights and drug issues.
The superintendent Brian White said they had about 24 incidents in the fall but those dropped once school leaders made changes like adding an afterschool program and increasing staff in the hallways.
“But our concern and why we engaged the county is because the root causes weren’t really addressed,” said Brian White.
White said they’ve been having a lot of issues with problems out in the community, that have been spilling into the school.
Now, local leaders came up with a solution that’s never been done before in Butler County.
The superintendent raised his concerns to the Butler County District Attorney who suggested in Monday’s salary board meeting to create a new county detective position that’s focused on school issues and making arrests county wide.
“They would be like any other county detective, only they would be assigned to juvenile situations within the school boundaries,” said Butler County District Attorney, Richard Goldinger.
The da along with the butler county commissioners and the controller approved that new position to help stop the ongoing problems in schools.
“It’s in the early stages but the intent is that the individual will be assigned to the school, not just for Butler school district,” said Goldinger. “That position will be available for other districts who may have a need.”
The DA and superintendent plan to meet to discuss what the detective’s duties will be. Then once they get everything in place, they will hire a new county detective who will start right away.
Some parents said this is a great way to help protect students and support the idea.
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