By Nan Cooper

Once a year, various law enforcement, fire and emergency agencies across metro Atlanta pick one school to hold a comprehensive “Public Safety Day.” This year, Findley Oaks Elementary School was chosen, and the Secret Service’s Operation Safe Kids program fingerprinted nearly 800 Findley Oaks Elementary School students.

The following agencies participated in the event: FBI, Secret Service, Georgia State Patrol, U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security, ICE, ATF, McGruff the Crime Dog, Fulton County Schools Police Department, Johns Creek Police and Fire Departments, Roswell Fire Department, U.S. Probation Service and the U.S. Fugitive Service.

Interestingly, when the school had a lock down recently due to criminal activity in an adjacent neighborhood, many of the officers who visited on Special Events Day were in the building. Having spoken with the officers on a more personal basis, the students were more comfortable with their presence in the school.