BENSON – When the students at Benson Elementary and Benson Middle return to class from this year’s summer break, they will be greeted not only by teachers and school staff, but by Benson Police officers as well.
On August 29, BPD will be on hand at both schools to help kick off the 2022-2023 school year.
As part of the “Welcome Back 2022” event, officers will be stationed at the entrances, where they will be handing out small gift bags of school supplies, greeting students and parents, and helping staff get the school year started off right.
“I think it’s important that the students, and also staff, at our local schools are comfortable with the officers,” explained Benson Police Chief Greg Percy. “After speaking with Principal Dunston and Principal Jernigan, this was one small way we thought of to get everyone together, to build those relationships.”
Having officers at the schools to welcome students is another facet to the department’s “community policing” initiative that focuses on officer interaction with residents. Other community policing events this year included National Night Out, Friday Night Hoops, and Coffee with a Cop.
“The students and staff see our School Resource Officers every day, but we have other officers who also check in on the campuses when they can. This will help put a face and name together, and increase familiarity for everyone,” continued Chief Percy.
“Many of us have our own children, and we know that the first day of school is always exciting. We look forward to seeing those smiles and hearing the laughter of the students, as they return for another successful school year.”
