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Law enforcement officers given 24-hour access to Randolph schools

The Inter-Mountain photo by Brooke Binns As part of a safety initiative for Randolph County Schools, local police agencies in Randolph County have been given 24 hour access to all schools. Pictured from left are Sgt. D.W. Simmons, of the West Virginia State Police; Cpl. B.D. Tice, of the Elkins Police Department; Debbie Schmidlen, superintendent for RCS; Sheriff Rob Elbon, of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office; and Joseph Arbogast, assistant superintendent for RCS.

ELKINS — In an effort to improve safety standards within schools, Randolph County Schools have partnered with local police agencies.

Law enforcement officers with the West Virginia State Police, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and Elkins Police Department have been given 24 hour access to every school in the county as a precautionary safety measure in case of emergency.

Joseph Arbogast, assistant superintendent for RCS, said the county’s top priority is student and employee safety.

“Every law enforcement officer in Randolph County has equal access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Every law enforcement officer can get into any school in our county at anytime,” he said. “We hope that these (key) fobs are never used, but our number one priority is our students and staff being safe while they are in our buildings, and I think this will do a remarkable of job making sure that

happens.”

Arbogast added he has been working closely with EPD Chief Travis Bennett, and other law enforcement in the county, to improve school safety standards by expanding the county school system’s relationship with law enforcement.

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