I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Summit County Sheriff’s Department for their outstanding School Resource Officer Program in our Summit County schools.
My kindergartner often says she “loves Deputy Moody and Deputy Lowe because they keep me safe.” Those words speak volumes about the trust and comfort our children feel thanks to these officers. I’ve heard countless stories of them engaging with students — playing sports at recess, greeting kids in the hallways, and even learning a few words of French to connect with them.
With Utah’s new law, House Bill 84 (School Safety Requirements, 2024), requiring each public school to have either a school resource officer or a trained armed guardian on campus, our community is fortunate to already have a strong, positive example in place.
Summit County’s program shows that school safety can be achieved through both protection and partnership. The presence of caring, well-trained officers like Deputies Moody and Lowe demonstrates how this legislation can be implemented in a way that builds trust and meaningful relationships between students and law enforcement.
As a parent, I am deeply comforted by their presence, and I hope that other schools and states will look to Summit County as a model — not only for safety, but for the healthy, positive connections being built from a young age.
Austin Smith
Park City