There was an increased police presence at Georgetown County schools this morning but it was something that was planned before Friday's elementary school massacre in Connecticut.
School District Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier said he spoke with Georgetown County Assistant Sheriff Carter Weaver last week about having additional officers on hand this week because of increased activities at the schools.
Because of the holidays, many schools — especially in the elementary grades — are having parties and special presentations before winter break begins Wednesday afternoon.
"We will have a lot of visitors on the campuses," Dozier said.
He said the plans are to keep the extra security for the three days school is in session this week and for a couple of weeks after classes resume in January.
Currently, every middle and high school in the district has a police officer or deputy on campus at all times. However, there are no school resource officers in elementary schools.
In the wake of the shootings that resulted in 20 children and six adults being killed at Sandy Hill Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, Dozier said he plans to begin talks with the school board and local law enforcement agencies to see what can be done on the elementary level.
Weaver, when asked Monday if he sees a time when there will be SROs in elementary schools, said that is a decision that will have to be made jointly by the community, the school district and law enforcement agencies.
He said deputies are on patrol everyday and make routine visits to the elementary schools.
Read more on this story in Wednesday's Georgetown Times.