By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor The day can change at a minute’s notice for Wright City Police Officer Jeff Catron. But instead of chasing criminals out on the street, he is filling a variety …
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Program rebirth seeing positive results
Posted
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorThe day can change at a minute’s notice for Wright City Police Officer Jeff Catron.But instead of chasing criminals out on the street, he is filling a variety of roles inside the hallways in the Wright City R-II School District.Catron serves as a school resource officer (SRO), a program designed to provide a safe atmosphere for students and teachers.Besides helping curtail discipline in the school, Catron teaches students about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, leads the D.A.R.E. program and serves as a mentor to those who need someone to talk to.This school year is the first year the program has been brought back following a short hiatus and it has been met with a positive response.“Basically the main reason I became a police officer was to help people and to interact with students,” Catron said.A school resource officer program is nothing new to the area, as the city of Warrenton and the Warren County R-III School District have successfully partnered together for a number of years. However, a lack of funding and identifying someone to fill the role has been a struggle in recent years in Wright City.When a truancy officer position was eliminated prior to the current school year, which was partly funded by both the R-II and R-III school districts, it made sense for the SRO program to be revisited. Having Catron, who has been a police officer for five years including the past two in Wright City, on staff also helped.“The stars aligned at the same time the truancy position was no longer available,” Police Chief Mat Eskew said. “It’s a good solid program. You can’t go anywhere without a kid talking about Officer Catron. He goes out of his way to make the program work.”Catron’s main office is located in the middle school, but he visits the elementary and high schools on a regular basis. He also fills the responsibilities of the former truancy officer, making sure students are in class and not skipping school.He even boarded a school bus one day and sat alongside an autistic student who was scared to ride.During a recent D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony, Catron congratulated each student with a handshake. Each student returned the gesture by having Catron autograph their T-shirt.When he drives through town with his window down, it’s common for kids to shout his name out.“I know when I first started, everybody was shy and standoffish,” said Catron, who also assists with the Warrenton Police Department’s Explorer program. “Now it’s high-fives and they give me pictures and cards.”Establishing positive relationships is the key.“This program bridges the gap between kids and police officers,” Catron said. “When (other officers) work on the road and have to go the house, I don’t want them to look at police officers as a negative influence.”‘Cop on Top’ to benefit Special OlympicsThe Wright City Police Department will host a “Cop on Top” fundraising event this Saturday, May 16, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Abel’s Quik Shop.Police officer Jeff Catron will remain on the roof of the gas station until the fundraising goal of $1,500 has been met. Attendees will have an opportunity to throw water balloons at Catron and Special Olympics T-shirts will be sold.All proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics.
Wright City Police Officer Jeff Catron shakes the hand of a student one morning. Tim Schmidt photo.
