Some Districts To Increase Security In Wake Of Texas Shooting

TAMPA, FL -- There are only 3 1/2 days left in the school year. But, in the wake of Friday's school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, that killed 10 people, some Tampa Bay law enforcement agencies are vowing to increase their presence at schools on Monday, May 21.

At a press conference at 3 p.m. Friday, May 18, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced that he and the police chiefs throughout Polk County have agreed to add an armed law enforcement officer at every Polk County Public School campus for the last 3 1/2 days of the school year “out of an abundance of caution."

"At this time, we have 111 charter and public schools that don’t have a full-time resource deputy assigned," said Judd. "So we're changing our work schedules, doing whatever we need to do in order to cover each of our public schools. We want to make sure during these final 3 1/2 days that our students can focus on school and their final exams."

Judd vowed that, from now on, every Polk County public school will have an armed security presence.

"Once we cover these schools for 3 ½ days, that means there will never be a public school in Polk County again that doesn’t have an armed guardian, an armed resource officer or an armed school resource deputy," he said. "We will be prepared with one of those three option on Aug. 13 when schools starts back again."

As an added security measure next week, Polk County School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said students won't be allowed to bring backpacks to school.

"We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that, when your children arrive at school next week, they are safe," she said.

Shortly after Judd's press conference, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister released a videotaped message vowing to increase security at all unincorporated Hillsborough County schools through the end of the school year.

"The shock and profound sadness of yet another school massacre only deepens and strengthens our resolve to do everything possible to protect our most precious resource," said Chronister. "Our school resource deputy program currently covers all middle schools and high schools, and half of the 80 elementary schools in our jurisdiction. Now every elementary school will be part of our security protocol. This enhanced safety plan will be in effect until the end of the school year on Friday, May 25."

Pasco and Manatee counties along with the city of Tampa also plan to increase the law enforcement presence at schools next week.

"While there are no current threats against Pasco County schools, out of an abundance of caution, in light of the tragedy today at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, we will have a heavy law enforcement presence near schools throughout Pasco County for the remainder of the school year," said Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco.

"We're all on the same page,'' said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. "While there are no threats to our schools, we've all agreed we're going to take a proactive approach. Students and teachers should be able to go to school and feel safe, and parents should feel comfortable sending their children to school."

Video via Polk Sheriff