SROs in the Summertime

July 1, 2025

by Laura L. Sullivan, Public Relations Specialist

During the school year they’re at your kids’ middle schools and high schools, keeping the campus safe, mediating disputes, investigating criminal activity, and being good role models for the leaders of tomorrow. But when school shuts down for the summer, where do all the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) School Resource Officers (SRO) go?

It turns out that many of them find other areas in the agency where they can continue their passion for keeping kids and schools safe. “Several of them are helping with the Cadets over the summer,” said Lieutenant Matt Thornton of the Youth Education Section. The young people in Cadet Unit 900 are learning firsthand about the challenges and rewards of a career in law enforcement, whether that be in patrol, detention and corrections, forensics, or any of the many careers adjacent to law enforcement.

Corporal Chris Jones, Unit Supervisor of the Cadets, said he can’t overstate how valuable the SROs are to his team. “Many of them bring not only law enforcement experience but also a deep, personal investment in youth development.”

Summer is the Cadets’ busiest time, with training, physical fitness challenges, community service projects, and competition at state and national levels. “I enjoy having SROs help with Cadets because they can translate very daunting adult topics into a format children and young adults can comprehend and utilize to complete the very complex scenarios they face during the arduous weeks of competition,” said Lead Cadet Mentor Deputy Chris Thompson.

Deputy Megan Tindall was the Lead Cadet Mentor before she became an SRO, so it is meaningful for her to return for the summer and guide the kids she helped develop through their intense competitions. “These young adults put in so much hard work to become the best versions of themselves – leaders of the future. Assisting them in the summer and seeing them compete shows full circle what their hard work and dedication mean. It’s very humbling and rewarding to see how far they grow even in such a short time.”

Not all SROs go to the Cadets over the summer. Two SROs joined the Mass Casualty Planning Unit (MCPU) which, among other duties, is responsible for making sure private schools are as safe as public schools. Deputy Keith Jackson, who worked at Dunedin Highland Middle School last year, said it is important to him to stay in a role focused on school safety even when school is out of session. “For me, continuing to focus on school safety – even during the summer – is a natural extension of my commitment to this work. While many SROs return to patrol during the break, I felt it was important to stay immersed in school safety initiatives year-round.” The MCPU, with its proactive methods and strategies, is a perfect fit. “I saw working with the unit as a chance to grow and learn more about the larger-scale processes involved in emergency preparedness.”

Deputy Jackson has been conducting site assessments at private schools. “I identify vulnerabilities and provide recommendations to strengthen their preparedness and emergency protocols.” No one knows how schools work, from a safety standpoint, better than an SRO. “My experience gives me a practical understanding of how schools operate day-to-day, including how students and staff move through the campus, where potential blind spots may exist, and what kind of safety culture is present. That real-world perspective is essential in recognizing not just physical vulnerabilities, but also gaps in procedures or communication that could hinder emergency response.”

Deputy John McGonigle, who worked at Dunedin High School last year, is spending his summer helping the MCPU update all the county’s Blue Boxes, which securely hold master keys to the school for use in an emergency such as an active assailant event. “What this unit does directly relates to my job as an SRO,” he said. “I enjoy working with MCPU because it gives me a chance to learn and understand what goes into planning for an active assailant event, what facilities need to do to help prevent an assailant from entering a facility, and what to do if an assailant does gain access to a school campus or other venue.”

“Most SROs go to patrol for the summer,” said Lieutenant Thornton. They stay on day shift, but might move around the county as needed, filling gaps where patrol deputies are on vacation. “It helps patrol out a lot, and I think it’s a good thing that they get a refresher in patrol.”

“The transition can be challenging because school environments are unique – they involve daily interaction with children and educators, and require a very specific kind of communication and conflict resolution skill set,” said Deputy Jackson. But there are definite perks to moving somewhere else in the agency for the summer.

“There are absolutely benefits to switching things up and taking a break from the school,” Deputy McGonigle said. “Whether I am assigned to patrol, MCPU, or any other unit, it helps keep my skills as a deputy sheriff sharp because there are things you do in patrol or other areas that you don’t get to experience in the schools.”

Personal Fireworks Aren't Legal in Pinellas County

by Laura L. Sullivan, Public Relations Specialist

As you celebrate this Fourth of July, for your safety – and to avoid getting a $93 citation – leave the fireworks to the professionals. Some people think that fireworks are legal in Pinellas County on certain holidays, but this is not true. Although the Florida state statute has this exemption, it is superseded by a county ordinance which prohibits fireworks at all times without a permit.

What is an illegal firework? “Anything that is lit and explodes, either on the ground or in the air, is illegal,” said Lieutenant Paul Langlais of the Community Policing Section. They’re exciting to see, but personally used consumer fireworks caused almost 15,000 ER visits in 2024, and 11 deaths, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most of these involved injuries to the head and face, eyes, and hands. Those stories about people losing a hand or an eye to fireworks aren’t urban legends – it happens every year. Fireworks also start about 30,000 fires annually. More fires are reported on Independence Day than on any other day of the year.

Things like sparklers, snakes and glow worms, party poppers and snappers, and smoke devices are generally allowed. As a rule if you can buy it in a local grocery store it is probably okay. If you have to check a box saying you are buying it to scare birds away from your fish hatchery, it’s probably illegal in Pinellas County.

Also be aware that some municipalities have specific ordinances relating to fireworks. Some have noise ordinances that apply, while others prohibit both fireworks and things like sparklers in specific areas, such as beaches or parks. Check your city’s ordinances to be sure.

Even legal devices can be dangerous. The tip of a sparkler can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit or more. In 2024, sparkler injuries led to 1,700 emergency room visits. The high temperature can cause a third-degree burn, and if the eye is injured by a sparkler it can lead to blindness. Never allow children to light sparklers or any other device. Supervise them while they are in use, and make sure they are kept away from the face, and from other children. Keep a bucket of water nearby, and when the device has finished, submerge it. If young kids want a light-up experience, consider glow sticks or a battery powered light toy instead of sparklers.

If you’re celebrating in a county where fireworks are legal, use common sense to keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe. Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Light fireworks one at a time, and quickly move a safe distance away. Don’t have any body part over the fireworks when you light the fuse, and don’t hold it in your hand after it is lit. Never point or throw fireworks at anyone. If a device doesn’t go off, don’t pick it up or try to relight it. Leave it untouched for 20 minutes, then submerge it in a bucket of water overnight before safely disposing of it. After fireworks finish burning, soak them to make sure they are completely extinguished.

Holidays that include fireworks celebrations can be traumatic for some people. You may see a sign on a neighbor’s lawn asking you to be considerate about fireworks because they are a combat veteran. Many people who have been in combat have PTSD, and you can imagine what they might go through when their neighborhood suddenly sounds like a war zone. Pets can be traumatized by fireworks, and the loud sounds and bright flashes can terrorize wild animals too. They have no idea what is happening, and when their peaceful world is suddenly rent by explosions they will panic and flee, abandoning nests, running or flying into obstacles or traffic.

Your best bet is to skip the fireworks at home, and go to one of the big professional displays put on by a municipality. You can find firework shows in many of our contract cities, including Madeira Beach, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, and St. Pete Beach. Have a happy and safe Independence Day!