The latest Leon County Sheriff’s Office School Resource 2024-25 Annual Report is out, and it shows a 38.3% increase in high school arrests when compared to 2023-24. The increase was driven by a significant increase in arrests at Leon and Rickards high schools. The chart below shows the arrests for each of the five major Leon County high schools.
The purpose of the annual report is to document the operations of the Deputy School Resource program. The Deputy School Resource program currently serves 18 schools within the district. A total of 23 deputies are assigned to the unit. Deputies are given primary assignments at six high schools, ten middle schools, and two nontraditional schools. Members are also given secondary school assignments and respond as requested. The unit is supervised by one lieutenant and three sergeants.
Sheriff Walt McNeil’s message, in part, is “the challenges facing our children continue to evolve. Together with the School Board, we proactively address issues such as bullying, mental health, threats of violence, and substance abuse through joint programming, training, and intervention initiatives. Our combined efforts extend beyond safety – they represent an investment in the future of Leon County.”…