Local School Receives $1.2 M Donation

Newberry High School Criminal Justice Academy students unpacking some of the $1.2 million worth of inventory from Plalanx. (Photo special to Alachua County Today)

NEWBERRY – New law enforcement duty gear was recently donated to an area high school to be used as part of their law enforcement career magnet program, which was founded in 1996. On Monday, Sept. 26, 30 Newberry High School students and staff off-loaded a truckload of new equipment which was donated by Phalanx Defense Systems CEO James Coats to the school's Academy of Criminal Justice (ACJ) program.

“Phalanx is a Gainesville-based company that produces body armor and equipment for the military and law enforcement,” said Patrick Treese, ACJ Director.

Some of the equipment will be used by students in the program, some will be made available for sale to help fund the purchase of a new patrol vehicle for the program, which currently boasts 150 students, 93 females and 57 males. “We need a vehicle similar to an F-150 that is large enough to transport students, 7-month-old German Shepherd K-9 Kora and equipment,” said Treese.

The ACJ program enrolls high school students from all over Alachua County who are interested in law, law enforcement, forensics and related fields.

“We are very grateful for James Coats' generous donation to our program,” he said.

Treese, who is in his eighth year as ACJ director, is also a reserve police officer at the High Springs Police Department.

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