The school halls of Eanes Independent School District are now under the watchful eyes of its police force. Nine officers have been ceremoniously pinned and are set to patrol each campus in the district, a move brought to life through the requirements of Texas' House Bill 3. This decision was celebrated Wednesday when the officers, each with an extensive policing background, received their badges from loved ones, according to KVUE.
In compliance with the new law, Eanes ISD, under the stewardship of Superintendent Dr. Jeff Arnett, has earmarked approximately $1.5 million for the formation of their police department—an investment comprising a small state-provided fraction. The legislation stipulates an armed employee must be stationed on each school campus, a feat that has proven financially and logistically challenging for many school districts across Central Texas. Despite the hurdles, Arnett insists, "We had to find the room within our funding so that we could afford these officers to make sure that we had the best trained, best caliber staff on each of our campuses," in a statement obtained by KVUE.
Beyond manpower, Eanes ISD is also ramping up its police presence with new high-tech gear on wheels – specifically, a fleet of Teslas. As reported by KXAN, the district has added nine Model Y Teslas to its law enforcement arsenal. The district claims the vehicles were chosen based on "affordability, availability, and sustainability," having already been tested by over 50 other agencies nationwide. The Teslas are lauded for their low maintenance needs and absence of fuel costs.
The newly minted officers, several of whom are retirees from a Austin PD, will shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding students and staff, as their roles extend beyond mere protective detail. "Their primary responsibility is keeping the kids and staff members safe every day," Eanes ISD Police Chief Matt Greer told KXAN.
