GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A proposal to place an armed security officer inside each Green Bay school.
Police Chief Andrew Smith notes it would help cut response time in a crisis, such as an active shooter situation.
“A recently retired police officer that has carried a weapon for 30 years and demonstrated 25-30 years of handling himself correctly. The officer would have a sidearm and would have that sidearm with them wherever they go. They would also have a police rifle that they would have easily accessible, in a place to be determined.”
Smith says the program could cost $2.5-million dollars per year, looking at multiple options for covering that cost.
He notes nothing is final, saying he’s open to hearing other ideas.
Smith believes something could be in place by the fall.
However, Smith notes they’ve already taken some steps since last week’s Florida high school shooting that claimed 17 lives.
“Since the shooting in Florida, we’ve had an increased presence at our schools here in Green Bay. That is going to continue.”
Meanwhile, a Green Bay officer explains why the city’s schools were not put on lockdown earlier this week.
Authorities say a handful of Brown County school districts were mentioned in a Snapchat that threatened a Wednesday school shooting.
Lieutenant Jeff Brester says “we had to investigate the incident first to see what kind of threat was even out there. Through our investigation, we weren’t able to get any documentation of what was said and in the threat.”
Brester says they had nothing credible to go on, believing no lockdown was necessary.
Ashwaubenon Schools was locked down for roughly an hour.
Also, Green Bay Police and Green Bay Area Public Schools are planning to hold a ‘community engagement session for parents, legislators, and community members to discuss the matter on a date to be announced.
