Sheriff commissions new safety patrol

SUZETTE COOK/Alachua County Today

Alachua County Sheriff Saide Darnell swears in 11 new safety patgrols officers at Alachua Learning Center.

ALACHUA – Two Alachua County Sheriff cars pulled up on the lawn near the basketball courts at Alachua Learning Center on April 29 but no one was in trouble. Sheriff Sadie Darnell climbed out of one vehicle while Deputy William Edward May got out of the second.

The whole school was gathered to celebrate the swearing in of 11 new safety patrol officers.

“It’s actually a real honor,” said 16-year-old Makayla Miller, 16. “I wasn’t expecting to be the captain.”

Darnell greeted the crowd and explained to the students what was happening and why it was important.

“Their badge and banner show they have the added responsibility to make sure that everyone is safe and orderly,” Darnell said. “Don’t run, don’t hit, don’t say bad words or be mean to each other. Become the leaders in our society that model the way and behave the right way.”

Darnell explained to the students what was about to happen. “A pledge is a promise that they will do the things they say,” Darnell said. “They’re making a public promise. This is their job but they aren’t going to get paid for it. But they will get a reward,” she added “They get to go to Washington D.C. where they’ll find out about our government and where the laws are made.”

“See my badge,” Darnell said and pointed to hers. “It’s a star. It’s visible representation of what they are doing.

“Pay attention to the words,” she said. “And practice the words every day.”

Darnell asked the students to raise their right hand and repeat after her.

“I promise to do my best to:

• Report for duty on time

• Perform my duties faithfully

• Strive to prevent accidents

• Always set a good example

• Obey my teachers and officers of the Patrol

• Report dangerous student practices

• Strive to earn the respect of fellow students.

I promise to abide by this pledge”

After they all said the pledge, each student was called up by name to receive a safety patrol badge sponsored by AAA.

Seventh grader Varshana Trudeau was excited about his new role. “I’ll be helping the little kids and it will be a lot of responsibility,” he said.

Darnell said the safety patrol has been in place for 37 years in Citrus, Levy and Alachua counties.

“This is one of the few opportunities that rewards children for good behavior,” she said. “They are starting in their role models of good citizens, they look out for one another.”

Krishna Rivera, administrative director at Alachua Learning Center said the patrol would be a good opportunity for students at the school.

“We’ve always been talking about it. Sheriff May and Triple A and Ms. Hayton helped make this happen.”

The new student patrol members are Captain Makayla Miller, Lieutenant Lauren Ashton , Sergeant Abhay Edwards, Romero Alejandra, Jade Coyle, Jonette Gadomski, Laura Byers, Logan Tugman,, Nistha Kowlessar, Radhapriya Uzcategui and Varshana Trudeau.

Darnell said, “Our role is to keep our county safe. Their role is to keep the school safe and orderly.”

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