With the new school year underway, campus safety is top of mind for parents and students, and one Bakersfield police officer assigned to a local elementary school is urging families to stay alert and communicate early when concerns come up.
Denise Johnson, a school resource officer at Crescent Elementary School with the Bakersfield Police Department, said parents and students should practice safety during drop-off and pickup, including being mindful when arriving at school and leaving campus. She also encouraged students who ride bicycles to make sure they have the proper gear.
Johnson also addressed how families should respond to potential threats of violence, including talk of a possible fight.
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“Parents should contact the school,” Johnson said. “It may just be a rumor, but contact the school first to see what’s going on.”
Johnson is in her first year as a school resource officer. “I love the kids,” she said. “Building positive relationships with the students and having them see the positive side of law enforcement, especially on the campus. It’s a great thing.”