By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications Dept.
Early Monday morning, Dec. 21, School Resource Officers (SROs) with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office laughed heartily as they strategized the best ways to pack police cars full of wrapped presents. Some wore Santa hats and other colorful decorations. Plenty of jokes were shouted across the loading dock, but they were very serious about their mission to bring joy to area students and their families!
“Through an overwhelming amount of community support, the SRO Division was able to conduct multiple Christmas/holiday outreach programs this year,” said Deputy Jared Porshia. “We were able to support Mission Children’s Hospital and fifteen local families through Buncombe County Schools. We are incredibly grateful to the community for their support, and are excited about what next year will bring.”
As a continuation of their November gift-giving effort, SROs selected 15 BCS students and their families to receive a generous supply of holiday presents, hand delivered in a police car. On the loading dock of their West Asheville satellite office, officers organized sizable piles of presents for homes across the county and helped each other load vehicles. One SRO even rigged his car’s loudspeaker system to play holiday music.
“I think they’ll be shocked, hopefully,” Porshia said with a smile.
During the school year, SROs work to build positive relationships with students, serve as mentors, and meet family needs. In addition to serving as police officers, they aim to be law enforcement teachers and counselors, as well. In Buncombe County, SROs are critical in the mission to maintain safe and engaging learning environments.
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