VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Author's note: The video above is on file from February 2022.
Starting this month, the Virginia Beach Police Department will reallocate some police officers away from schools to the Oceanfront.
It's not the first time the city has moved School Resource Officers (SROs) to heavily trafficked areas for the summer months. However, a joint statement from Virginia Beach City Public Schools and the Virginia Beach Police Department said this is a temporary situation.
The statement said there are plans to "bolster the SRO program" next school year.
"With good that comes from participating in all that our city has to offer, sometimes there can be unintended consequences that come with large crowds. It is important that the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) is able to quickly allocate resources to ensure the safety of the attendees, other visitors, and our residents when these gatherings occur," the statement said.
It was unclear how many officers would be reassigned starting in April. In 2021, VBPD moved 10 SROs from schools to the beach area.
The statement said the school division would have plans in place for schools that are giving up their SROs. The officers will be assigned to patrol areas near the schools they would otherwise serve.
"We want to assure the families of Virginia Beach that our schools and streets will be kept safe. Working strategically with the Office of Safe Schools, we are ensuring a security presence will continue at every school and that SROs will be available, even when one may not be physically in the building," the statement said.
Read the full joint statement from the City of Virginia Beach Police Department and Virginia Beach City Public Schools below: