Our greatest responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors. We continually strive to enhance our safety and security initiatives through open communication, strong community partnerships, progressive policies and procedures, and proactive action by our staff.

• Exterior doors are locked during school hours.

• Identification badges are issued to staff, local law enforcement, and select partners needing building access.

• Proximity ID card readers are installed in multiple exterior locations at all schools.

• Employees are trained to not hold doors open or leave doors propped open.

• Visitors are viewed on video surveillance cameras before being granted access to the building.

• Once in the office, visitors are required to log into a system that scans all national databases to identify convicted child sex offenders.

• Each school has multiple video surveillance cameras. In the event of an emergency, these can be viewed ‘live’ by the County’s 911 Call Center.

CRASE: Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event which trains in three important elements:

• ADD = Avoid, Deny, Defend – Every situation is different

• Situational Awareness – plan for the unexpected

• See Something, Say Something – pay attention to changes in behaviors of students and staff

In 2018, Governor Hogan provided funding for safety and security measures in local school systems. At that time CCPS established a steering committee comprised of staff and partners with the appropriate expertise to direct funds as needed in the most efficient and effective ways.

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of law enforcement officers within the education systems and reflects the commitment of the Office of the Sheriff for Caroline County to the concept of Community Oriented Policing.

The SRO serves as a mentor, counselor, role model and advocate for student, parents, teachers, and school administrators. The SRO, while at the school, is involved in a variety of functions and programs aimed at both crime prevention and intervention. In addition, the SRO conducts all criminal & civil violation investigations on campus. 

We meet on a regular basis with our partners to discuss priorities, share information, and plan ahead. Our essential partners include:

• Caroline County Sheriff’s Department

• Caroline County Emergency Services

• Town police departments

• Maryland state police

• Caroline County Health Department & private health care providers

• Caroline County Government

Safe Schools Tip Line & Mobile App
In 2018, the Maryland Center for School Safety launched their  #SafeSchoolsMaryland Tip Line and app, an anonymous reporting system used to report threats to the safety and/or well-being of students.

Students, parents, faculty, staff, and members of communities throughout Maryland may use this anonymous, app- and web-based reporting system to share their concerns, such as:

• Mental health crises

• Bullying

• School and community violence

• Drug activity

• Abuse

• Harassment

• Other issues affecting our Maryland students

The Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line is a tool for proactively addressing harmful situations and helping students who need it. By using a variety of communication modes to support the reporting and routing of tips, this tool empowers the citizens of Maryland to create a culture of preparedness, prevention, and school safety for our students.

Michael (Rico) Gestole
School Safety & Security Coordinator
410.479.1463   x1233