Palm Beach County School District to add police aides to some schools

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -  The Palm Beach County School district is taking steps to make schools safer.

Police aides will be stationed at schools that do not have a single point of entry, according to Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Wayne Gent.

He says the aides will not carry weapons but  will work with principals to tighten security.

Yes, I think it's excellent," said parent Ashley Thompson

Front gates and perimeters at the schools will be patrolled to ensure only those who are authorized will be allowed on campus.

"We want to make sure we review all of our procedures, protocols, our drills, our codes and those kinds of things and continue to move in that direction," Gent said.

"It will be more safety for our kids and teachers and parents and everyone," Thompson said.

 "We've had police agencies in the past and even as a former principal I know the value and confidence that it gives you when someone is in the parking lot and monitoring who is coming on the campus. It is a deterrent and it has worked for us in the past," the superintendent said. "I think the parents should know that our schools are safe and some of the safest places to be and we take it very seriously."

Advertising for about 30 aide positions and hiring is set to begin right away, Gent said.

The security upgrade is expected to cost $400,000.

The wptv.com web team contributed to this report.