LAKEPORT — Lakeport City Council held a meeting that lasted just shy of 20 minutes before going into closed session on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
A presentation took place highlighting the value of Lakeport”s School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Introducing Stephanie Green, SRO, was Lakeport Superintendent of Schools Erin Smith-Hagberg, who honored the schools, Lakeport Police Department and the council for the program. Smith-Hagberg said the schools have an excellent safety record and credited this to the presence of Green on campuses.
“It serves as a deterrent … She serves as a role model for all of our kids,” Smith-Hagberg said.
Both Smith-Hagberg and Green said the schools are a microcosm of the community.
Green said her No. 1 goal as SRO is security and safety. “Law enforcement always comes first,” she said. To facilitate prevention, she runs D.A.R.E., a national curriculum designed to be taught by police officers whose training and experience gave them the background needed to answer questions posed by students about drugs and crime. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers receive special training in child development, classroom management, teaching techniques and communication skills. Green also provides resources to students, faculty and families.
Green said she has an open-door policy and Smith-Hagberg interjected that Green has an exceptional relationship with the students.
Last year there were 200 calls for service, 60 percent were for Clear Lake High School, 30 percent for Terrace Middle School, while the remaining 10 percent were disbursed between the other schools and programs in Lakeport. There were 29 arrests made on campuses last year.
