HAMILTON, Ohio -- Next school year is just about the last thing most kids would like to think about right now.
Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones thinks it's a great time for adults to do that.
Jones sent a letter to Butler County school boards Tuesday, asking them to look now at safety plans for when students return from summer break.
His office has deputies checking in at schools while they're out on patrol. But Jones said districts need to help. He suggests they consider changing fire alarm procedures so students don't become easy targets as they file out of classrooms.
He also wants armed school resource officers placed in each building in the district, and metal detectors at the doors.
"Some schools you can get in homemade bombs and you can get in a shotgun like the last shooting," Jones said. "You got to have metal detectors."
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He's been pushing the issue for months, since 17 people died in a mass shooting at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Then last week in Texas, police allege another teenaged perpetrator killed 10 people and wounded 10 others at Santa Fe High School, not far from Houston.
Butler County had a school shooting of its own two years ago: A teen opened fire in the cafeteria at Madison Junior/Senior High School during lunchtime on Feb. 29, 2016. He hit two students, and two others were hurt trying to get away. All survived.
Madison Local Schools now has school resource officers and passed a resolution to allow teachers to be armed. Edgewood Schools also have approved putting an armed officer in each. Jones said Talawanda and Lakota schools have had a positive response to his ideas and are working with his office for safety improvements.
It's up to each school district to budget for safety.
"It’s not free, but my voice to you is what's it worth," Jones said.
Read Jones' letter below:
