Jefferson County Plans More Resource Officers In Schools
Jefferson County law enforcement and education officials announced a plan Thursday to put school resource officers in all 56 county schools.
Less than half of the county’s public schools have resource officers. That means some schools have to share an SRO. For example, the announcement was made at Minor Community School in unincorporated Jefferson County. That school shares an SRO with Minor High School and two other schools according to the school superintendent.
Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale says he hopes to soon have a contract resource officer for Minor Community School and all other schools.
Twelve new resource officers will start training next week, he says. Hale hopes that retired officers will be attracted to the opportunity.
Gov. Kay Ivey has approved the Sentry Program, a voluntary program that would allow educators trained in handling weapons to use them against an intruder in the absence of an officer. Hale says he supports the Second Amendment, but believes placing sworn officers in the schools will make schools safer.
Hale says it’s going to cost an additional $1.2 million to $1.5 million. That cost will be covered by Jefferson County and the county school system, he says.
In addition to the resource officers, the plan also calls for development of threat assessment teams. These teams include sheriff’s department investigators, mental health workers and school officials who can identify troubling behavior in students and develop resources for managing those challenges.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
