Ruppersberger Receives “Vision” Award From School Resource Officers

(Baltimore, MD)-  Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) received the “Vision” award from the National Association of School Resources (NASRO) for his efforts implementing a school safety program when he was the Baltimore County Executive and supporting school resource officers while in Congress.  Congressman Ruppersberger received the award and addressed more than 800 school resource officers at the 19th annual NASRO convention taking place this week in downtown Baltimore.

“This award truly belongs to the first resource officers in our schools, who showed that the program is successful and necessary to combat growing problems such as gangs and cyber bullying.  School resource officers not only collect intelligence to help prevent and solve crimes, but they are also role models and advocates for our students,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).  

In 1998, then Baltimore County Executive Ruppersberger met with then Baltimore County Police Chief Terrence Sheridan, who also received an award Monday, to address a sharp spike in crime, nearly one third of it committed by juveniles. Amid opposition from some school administrators, concerned parents and school board members, the first armed police officers were placed in Milford Mill Academy and Pikesville High School on a trial basis. Today, more than 58 high schools and middle schools in Baltimore County have resource officers who are assigned to the local Baltimore County Police precinct. School-based policing is the fastest growing area of law enforcement in the country.

“School resource officers in Baltimore County have helped to solve crimes ranging from homicides to destruction of property. The crimes they have helped prevent are too many to count,” Ruppersberger said.

NASRO is a non-profit organization for school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators, and school security and safety professionals working as partners to protect students, school faculty and staff and the schools they attend.

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