Law enforcement agencies also have a visible presence in the schools. With funding from the Three Rivers School District, two Sheriff's deputies are assigned to the district's three high schools to assess safety threats, help school officials control substance abuse, and help students resolve problems with each other. The Grants Pass Public Safety Department has a DARE officer at every District 7 elementary school, and a juvenile gang officer assigned to the high school. The County Community Dispute Resolution Program has a Peer Mediation Program in 10 schools and is working to get programs in all schools. The program trains children how to deal with conflict peacefully by getting communication going.
Communication is the key to preventing a Springfield tragedy.
When a problem does get to the crisis level in Josephine County, a number of agencies respond and work together to take swift action. Law officers will take into custody any child who has a weapon and is threatening someone. Mental Health counselors may also do an evaluation for emotional problems. In Springfield, the suspect was arrested the day before the shooting for bringing a gun to school. He was suspended and released in his father's custody a few hours later.