HORRY COUNTY, S.C., (WBTW) – The safety of students in Horry County Schools is a top priority.
The Horry County Police Department announced that each high school in Horry County now has a school resource officer on campus.
Gaye Driggers, the principal at Carolina Forest High School, said she’s thrilled about having a school resource officer on their campus and feels as though it’s an extra layer of security. Not just for students, but parents as well.
Through a partnership with HCS and a grant through the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, HCPD once again has school resource officers.
Since 1998, all 57 schools in Horry County have had an armed security officer, but now, each high school campus will have an HCPD school resource officer.
School resource officers are sworn law enforcement officers responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools.
Not only do they protect the school and the students inside, but they also form a personal connection with them.
“We want them to know they are here for security, but they also want a relationship with them, and be a resource for them,” Driggers said. “Having that on campus, I believe just adds to the educational system every day.”