More Monroe County sheriff's deputies are spending time on campus and in the classroom in Monroe County Schools.
The goal is to make kids and teachers feel safe.
This school safety initiative is something the department is excited about.
Deputies are spending their lunch breaks eating with kids in the cafeteria, and patrolling campuses more than usual.
"Going inside the schools, being seen, being with the teachers, with the students, doing these random walkthroughs. It seems like its working," Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said.
This hands-on safety initiative has been in the works for a while now, but with the number of reported school threats in the county after the Florida high school shooting, Jones waited no longer to take action.
"Oh it was ridiculous," Jones said. "We spent probably five days running down leads."
Deputies are now patrolling schools more often, and the students are noticing.
"The kids are more attentive, teachers are more attentive, and very appreciative of what's happening," said Capt. Rusy Vineyard, who oversees the School Resource Officer program.
Deputies are encouraged to spend their lunch breaks with kids, and sign up to be substitute teachers on their off days.
"Who's better to fit these roles than deputies? They're role models for children anyway," Jones said.
He also hopes to hire more school resource officers.
Vineyard, who is the SRO at Sweetwater High School, said there's a big need.
"The more SROs that we add, the better off we are because we can also reach more children," Vineyard said. "We're not only there just for protection. We're there for the kids if they need to speak about something."
Jones said his team is more than willing to go the extra mile to keep kids in Monroe County safe.
His safety plans continue in conjunction with the school board.
Jones hopes metal detectors could be placed in schools as an extra precaution.
During a special called meeting Tuesday night to discuss ways to improve school safety, the Monroe County Board of Education said they will look for funding to hire four or five additional SROs in order to put an officer at each school in the county.
The board also voted to equip the SROs with metal detector wands.