Schools

Budget Cuts Mean Fewer Officers in Schools

With a significant decrease in budget, police forces have less to work with.

According to Montgomery County Police Capt. Luther Reynolds, staffing is the biggest concern for Germantown police. The most notable difference has been the decrease of Educational Facility Officers (EFOs) in Montgomery County Schools.

While last school year, one police officer was assigned to patrol every Montgomery County high school, this year one School Resource Officer (SRO) is assigned to cover Seneca Valley, Northwest, Clarkesburg, Poolesville and Damascus high schools. 

"People don't realize they sacrifice on safety," Officer Steven Smugeresky said. "That takes the immediate response out of play."

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Smugeresky was the EFO for Seneca Valley High School last year. He now serves in the Germantown commercial business district. Smugeresky said his position as a EFO gave him the opportunity to educate students about the law and to change negative opinions of police.

"We weren't just there as a crime deterrent but to educate kids that were on the fence," Smugeresky said. He remembers the many times he would have a discussion with students about the law, traffic violations and even driving tests. Smugeresky was looking forward to returning to Seneca Valley and fostering his existing relationship with the students, until the program was cut. 

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Marc Cohen, principal of Seneca Valley High School, said the worst part about losing the EFO program is losing the aspect of personal relationships between officers and the students. 

"From these relationships, officers were able to counsel and teach.  They were able to prevent who knows how many issues because kids in our buildings knew the EFO and trusted them," Cohen said. Regardless of this loss, however, Cohen said he is not concerned with school safety.

"I am confident that, in a crisis situation, they will respond to our needs quickly and appropriately," Cohen said. 

"He [the SFO] is working hard to be present in our buildings as often as possible.  It is not the same as the EFO program, but it is something that I value." 

Reynolds said the police department is working hard to find the best ways to do their best with less. 

"There is a high degree of support for us and it is also very challenging to make the most of our mission, with the finite resources and the significant amount of challenges we are faced with each day in protecting and serving our constituents," Reynolds said. 


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