Orange County's schools may soon have a deputy on every campus.
To do what Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs wants, an armed deputy assigned to each and every elementary school, it would cost the county between $2 million and $3 million.
But that?s a price Jacobs said is worth paying, especially after what happened in Connecticut Friday.
?My reaction was the same reaction as every other mom across the country and every other dad,? said Jacobs.
But Jacobs said it?s not just emotion driving her call for more deputies.
?I can tell you that my reaction today and my decision to try to get deputies in every elementary school is beyond an emotional response," Jacobs said. "I think it?s a fiscally responsible decision, to know that we have the best plans in place.?
Currently, there are deputies assigned to each middle and high school.? But deputies rotate among the elementary schools in unincorporated Orange County, and there's one for every four schools.
?I think if there had been a deputy there, we would have not seen what we saw," Jacobs said. "I just want our schools equipped when somebody walks in and they?re not supposed to be there, to handle it so we don?t see this situation repeat itself.?
Mayor Jacobs said this would require 60 deputies already on the force to work overtime. She said initially the money would come from reserve money that?s usually leftover in the budget.
?We can afford it," Jacobs said. "Can we afford it as an ongoing measure? It would be difficult to do year in and year out, and that?s why we need to look at what?s the best way to handle this. This year, absolutely we can afford it.?
Mayor Jacobs said she will ask county commissioners for their support at Tuesday?s Board of County Commissioners meeting.? She wants deputies at every elementary school by the time students return from Christmas break. The idea is that this will ensure their safety for now, until county leaders can figure out what to do long-term.
The mayor said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings has already stepped up security at elementary schools since the mass shooting.
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