State Police will be at every school in Botetourt County as additional security.

State Troopers are at the school parking lots and people have noticed. Governor Bob McDonnell has asked that state troopers come to the public schools  and are being dispatched to schools. According to Dr. Tony Brads who notified the school board during the budget meeting on Thursday, Jan. 24, the problem was no one notified the school division. “The troopers will not be a full time presence,” Brads said, “Mostly they will get to know school administration and do paper work in the cars and be familiar with the school buildings as an additional security measure. ”

“It’s to help with security. It’s to help supplement the sheriff’s departments efforts. We don’t mean to step on anyone’s toes.”  said Sgt. Rob Carpentieri State Police public relations officer of the Salem District. “It should, we hope, make  students and parents feel better as well.”

In the interim with the help of Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle, Brads was able to meet with a sergeant from the state police. There are 24 troopers in Botetourt County.

Two students from James River High  School reported last night, that one trooper followed a former student out of the James River parking lot and apparently issued a summons.