Police Presence At Solon Schools Will Increase

SOLON, OH — Two full-time, uniformed police officers will be added to the Solon Schools security detail. The additions were approved by the Solon Board of Education and Solon City Council.

The Solon Schools do not share details of their security plan to ensure the protection of students and staff. Only a broad outline of the increased security presence was provided publicly.

The addition of the officers is part of a five-year agreement between the city and the school district. According to that agreement, officials agreed that, "the safety and security of students is of paramount importance. In today’s world, an active critical incident involving a mass shooting is a distinct possibility and “should be prepared for with all reasonable preventive measures firmly in place."

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Solon Police already patrol the schools as part of their regular beat, a school official told Patch. Officers will visit schools every day, patrolling and ensuring everything is safe. Adding two additional, stationed-in-schools officers is the culmination of a year-long discussion between the city and the school district.

Scheduling of officers and their rotation through the schools will remain confidential and will be decided by the city and the Solon Police Department. The school district called the agreement the "next necessary step" in providing security for students.

In a letter to families, sent out in early February, the school district said:

"The additional police presence in our schools is an adjunct to the existing critical support provided to the schools by Solon safety forces, such as law enforcement, D.A.R.E. education, fire, emergency medical and specialized response teams. It is the logical next step in the ongoing safety and security planning the district has done over many years and we believe that doing so in partnership with the Solon safety forces, who know our schools, students and community best, is the most prudent way to proceed."

Solon City Council approved the five-year agreement on Feb. 19. The Solon Board of Education approved the agreement on Feb. 25, ratifying the deal.