(Photo: WBOC)CENTREVILLLE, Md.- Patrolling the streets is typical but starting Wednesday the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office beefed up its presence at every public school in the county.
"Concerns from the parents, administrators, Board of Ed, and community members had with the safety of their kids, obviously we took that into consideration to increase law enforcement presence at the schools," said Capt. Brian Smith of the Sheriff's Office.
Val Burgress works in Centreville and has heard all about the threats made to the schools in the past. She said that a strong police presence is needed.
"We are getting to the point where it's almost necessary not only for the safety of the kids, teachers and the community," Burgress said.
Increasing patrols for every school in the county means added work for law enforcement, but they say it is better to be safe than sorry.
"I have six kids in these schools," Smith said. "I have talked to a lot of parents and students and we have a responsibility just like the students, teachers, the administrators to work together to create a safe school environment. I think we can do our part but we need the community's help. We are all in this together."
Not everyone stands together on this decision. Patricia Parks of Centreville said it is too much.
"I don't think that will stop anything, because there are so many ways that children can act out," she said.
