Door County Crime Prevention Foundation

admin

by

Ongoing Expenses for School Resource Officers

By far the single largest line-item in the budget of the School Resource Officer program is the personnel costs of the sworn officers themselves. A cost-sharing arrangement has been worked out between the Door County Sheriff’s Department at the respective school districts.  During the school year, 80% of the personnel costs will be borne by the respective districts and the remaining 20% by the County of Door.

During the summer months, 100% of personnel expenses will be paid for by the County.  This has the incidental benefit of allowing the Sheriff’s Department to reassign these officers to normal policing functions during our busy tourist season.  It’s another reason this is such an invaluable partnership to both the schools and the County itself.

by

Benefits of School Resource Officers

According to the National Association of School Resource Officers, studies have demonstrated that a School Resource Officer program has several important benefits to the community such as:

  • Prevention or minimization of property damage in the school and surrounding areas.
  • Prevention of student injuries and even death due to violence, drug overdoses, etc.
  • Reduction of the need for schools to call 911.
  • Reduction of the likelihood that a student will get a criminal record.
  • Increase of the likelihood that students (particularly those with mental health issues) will get the help they need from the social service and health care systems.
  • Increase in feelings of safety among students and staff.

Further, a 2018 report found that for every dollar invested in a School Resource Officer program, at least $11.13 in social and economic value was created for the local community.

by

Role of School Resource Officers


The Door County Sheriff’s Department has adopted the “triad concept” as defined by the National Association of School Resource Officers.  This establishes three primary roles of a School Resource Officer.

An Informal Mentor and Counselor

School Resource Officers forge relationships with students to help change behavior so that arrests become less likely to occur, such as:

  • Relationship issues
  • Family dynamics
  • Self-esteem
  • Substance abuse
  • Mental health
  • Decision making
  • Attendance issues

An Educator

School Resource Officers provide both formal and informal

education to students, parents, and school personnel on a
wide variety of topics, including:

  • School and personal safety
  • Proper use of technology – internet safety
  • Drug, alcohol, tobacco, vaping
  • Harassment and anti-bullying
  • Resilience
  • Driver safety

A Law Enforcement Officer

School Resource Officers are sworn law enforcement personnel, and on occasion are called upon to play this traditional role to ensure the safety of our children, including:

  • Regular, reliable, visible on-site presence on campus
  • Deterrence for “lone wolf” attackers
  • Investigate threats against students and the school
  • First-responder for first-aid events
  • Traffic control around campus
  • Critical member of the school’s threat assessment team
  • Sword officer to serve a traditional policing role

It is important to note that School Resource Officers are NOT involved in disciplinary issues that are normally handled by teachers and administrators.  The program does not elevate typical (albeit troubling) school-age behaviors into police interaction.  Instead, officers always approach a situation with the idea to first maintain their primary role as educators and informal mentors.  They assume a law enforcement function only when a student’s behavior goes beyond what is traditionally handled by school personnel.

The National Association of School Resources Officers has demonstrated that this balance, and its commitment to avoiding involvement in normal school discipline, has been central to the reduction in the rates of juvenile arrests.

by

Grants for Door County Law Enforcement

The Crime Prevention Foundation offers grant opportunities to Door County law enforcement agencies to support projects that will address crime prevention.

Local law enforcement agencies are invited to submit project ideas to the independent Board of Advisors who will oversee the Crime Prevention Foundation. The Crime Prevention Foundation has proudly supported the following projects:

K-9 Services
In 2017, the Door County Sheriff’s Office revived a K-9 program that had been dormant for nearly 30 years. Door County’s K–9 unit is one of the most beloved programs the Crime Prevention Foundation has supported. Donors large and small rallied together to help purchase and train K–9 Deputy Odinn. Funds raised for this new K-9 services program in Door County were used to pay for expenses such as purchasing Odinn, training for both Odinn and his handler, veterinary services, and related safety equipment. Unfortunately, Deputy Odinn passed away this past June leaving big paws to fill in the department. The Door County Sheriff’s Department knows Odinn will not be easily replaced but is determined to fill his paws with a new K-9 deputy with the help of the Crime Prevention Foundation. Click here to learn more about their efforts.

School Resource Officer Program
A School Resource Officer is a career law enforcement officer with sworn authority that is deployed in a community-oriented policing role within a school environment. An SRO is more than your typical police officer.  These are specially trained and equipped officers that actively work in partnership with teachers and administrators to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for our children. While the ongoing operational expenses of the School Resource Officer program are entirely the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department and the respective school districts, working in a school environment surrounded by young people is not the typical policing experience.  Hence, to get the program off the ground, the community was invited to assist with several initial expenses that properly set up the offices as well as specially trained and equipped the officers. Learn more about the SRO Program here.

Honor Guard Equipment
The presence of the Honor Guard plays an important role in developing relationships with community members that are based on trust, honor, and integrity. Funding supported the purchase of equipment needed to enhance the Honor Guard’s presence at community events.

CRAVE 21 Challenge
Crave 21’s mission is to educate and empower youth to make healthier choices in order to live free from addiction as they move into adulthood. The program challenges students to give up their biggest craving for 21 days with coaching support coming through student check-ins and the Coach.Me application.

Communications Upgrade
Grant dollars supported the purchase of a new squad car laptop computer for the Washington Island Police Department. This technology allows officers to more efficiently complete administrative work as well as enables access to information about current criminal and noncriminal activities that may be happening locally and throughout country.

Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop Day
This annual event pairs a law enforcement officer with a youngster to help kids and their families have a happy holiday season. During the day, kids and officers visit a tree farm to cut down a Christmas tree, visit a store to shop for family members and visit with Santa, and then attend a gift-wrapping party.

by

Apply for a Grant


The Crime Prevention Foundation offers grant opportunities to Door County law enforcement agencies to support projects that will address crime prevention.

Local law enforcement agencies are invited to submit project ideas to the independent Board of Advisors who will oversee the Crime Prevention Foundation. The Crime Prevention Foundation is proud to accept applications for needs such as:

  • K-9 program
  • School Resource Officer Program
  • DARE
  • Shop and Chop with a Cop
  • Equipment to enhance officer safety
  • Specialized training for law enforcement

The application can be found here.

For more information on the Crime Prevention Foundation grant opportunities, please email us, or call (920) 746-1786.