Georgiana schools have a new Resource Officer

In line with changing times, and an effort to provide the safest atmosphere possible for all students, the Georgiana schools have a new resource officer.

Following the successful application of a grant by the Georgiana Police Department, Lt. Clint Reaves has been assigned to the Georgiana School District, as their resource officer, an assignment that is very pleasing to the one person who is responsible for the safety of the students at the high school, its Principal, Roland Pettie.

"We are extremely proud to have an officer of Clint's caliber with us here at Georgiana High School-he is very good with the students, and they seem to be eager to relate to him," Pettie said.

Pettie said this would not have been possible without the cooperation of the Georgiana Police Department.

"We are very appreciative of the fact that the Police Chief James Blackmon was able to apply for, and receive the grant to fund our resource officer," Pettie said.

Pettie commended Reaves for his characteristics.

"If an officer cares about the kids, and he puts them first, then he is a really talented officer-I see that everyday with Clint-he is just that type," Pettie said.

"I am just proud to be able to offer my services," said Reaves. "I love kids-they are the future of our community, and unless we are willing to hear their needs, they will go astray."

Reaves will be responsible for patrolling the school grounds of both R.L. Austin Elementary and Georgiana High School, and also walking through the halls, ensuring order and safety.

"Another part of my job is to see to the safe transportation of the students in an emergency, and I also have to go pick up truant students," Reaves said. "I see exactly where the kids come from, and people would be shocked to know the odds some of them have to overcome."

Reaves talked about all of the various oppositions kids see daily, and how they are affected by them.

"We take for granted that we are able to go home to prepare a good healthy meal, and relax with our children in a safe, comfortable environment," Reaves said, "but many children don't have that advantage. There might not be any food at all in the house when they get home; their parents might not even be home, all night long."

Reaves said the children have some tremendous odds against them, and he feels that if something is not done about it, then the community's future would fail.

"It is our responsibility to meet the needs of the community, and that especially includes meeting the needs of our children," Reaves said.

Reaves said the result of poor home life is apparent, everyday all over the world, but it is not so far away from home either."

"When the children don't feel love and nurturing at home, that is when they start gravitating toward gangs-next, they get involved with drugs and alcohol, and before you know it, they have gotten in trouble, or have endangered, or worse, lost their lives," he said. "Kids deserve the very best they can get-and they deserve to get it from home, and at school."