District announces new law enforcement program

In efforts to increase police visibility and enhance safety, Riverside Schools is implementing a new Lunch for Law Enforcement program.

Starting this school year, the district’s Nutrition Services Department will offer a free lunch to any local law enforcement officers (Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio Highway Patrol) who visit any one of the district’s eight school buildings between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to the news release.

The district decided to launch the program to give students and staff more opportunities to interact with law enforcement.

“One of the things we have been thinking about is, ‘what can we do to get more law enforcement into our buildings?’” Superintendent James Kalis said. “We know they’re already on the road driving around and during their shift, they need to eat lunch. So we figured, why not invite them into our buildings for lunch and the opportunity to eat and interact with our kids and staff members?”

The free lunches will be offered every day throughout the week for the entire school year.

While the current School Resource Officer Corey Svagerko frequently visits all of the buildings, reads to kids, participates in activities and stops in classrooms to talk to students, the district wanted to increase law enforcement presence.

“This also allows for these men and women to walk around, get acclimated to our buildings and maybe even do random safety checks,” Kalis said. “It’s just a great way to increase visibility.”

Classes resume for Riverside students Aug. 22.