For the first time in years a town police officer is not stationed at Seymour High School.
“We should really think about another youth officer,” Lt. Paul Satkowski told the Board of Police Commissioners earlier this month.
“For eight years we had people in the schools,” he said. “We were in the forefront in that area and now, without having anyone, I think it is a step backward.”
The police department pulled the officer stationed at the school for budgetary reasons, Chief Michael Metzler said.
Police Commissioner James Simpson questioned whether it would be wise to bring it back, given Seymour’s budget restraints.
“Other districts are cutting back on youth officers,” he said. “Who is going to pay for it? That is always the issue.”
Commissioner Lucy McConologue said she would like to know how school officials feel about it before taking any action.
“We are concerned, but it is officially their program,” she said. “I would like to know if they are concerned.”
“With the audience here you can see how many people are concerned,” Commissioner Frank Conroy said, gesturing to empty audience at the meeting.
School officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
It’s a concern, Satkowski said, because police are aware of a few issues inside the school.
For instance, there is a situation of a man who was sent to prison for stalking two female students. He’ll be released soon, and has said he will continue to stalk them once he is released, according to Satkowski.
The department will deal with the matter, but having an officer in the school helps, Satkowski said.
Police commissioners will confer with school district officials about police presence at the high school. It may come up at the commission’s next meeting.
