Crime & Safety

Cherokee Sheriff's Office Continue Heightened School Visibility

The sheriff's department will continue its heightened visibility it started before the Cherokee County School District's winter break.

More Cherokee County sheriff's deputies will be visible at Cherokee County schools once classes resume next week.

The law enforcement agency announced on Friday that there will be "increased visibility" once the Cheorkee County School District's second semester gets underway on Monday. 

That visibility will remain in effect until the end of the school year.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Along with their general responsibilities of patrols and responding to emergency calls, deputies will also station themselves in school parking lots, park along roadways near the schools and will also walk on the properties of schools in their assigned zones.  

"This strategy is to assist the Cherokee County School District and its School Police Department in providing an additional security presence in and around its campuses," the agency said in a statement. 

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lt. Jay Baker, the sheriff's office spokesperson, added deputies will also make the same patrols at Cherokee Charter Academy. 

The district last month announced its School Police Department was teaming up with the sheriff's office and other city police departments to provide an increased presence.

The district sent home a letter to parents informing them of their plans, which happened in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., that left 26 people, including 18 children dead.

County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo announced on Friday that he established the School Safety and Security Ad Hoc Committee. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Woodstock-Towne Lake