LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno is expanding the School Threat Enforcement Team (STET).
In a press conference, Marceno said this school year alone, STET has conducted 229 threat assessments, investigated 31 threats of violence, and conducted 767 follow-up investigations that have led to 40 arrests.
Sheriff Marceno announced the team includes a captain, two sergeants, four detectives, two analysts who focus on school safety. A licensed social worker and three mental health focus professionals who follow up and direct students that are at risk and find available resources in the community to help with prevention.
Sheriff Marceno created the School Threat Enforcement Team (STET) in December 2021 to address the growing issue of threats being made to schools, particularly online.
STET personnel are based out of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Real-Time Intelligence Center and work closely with Youth Services Criminal Investigations Division Detectives to investigate threats to the safety of Lee County’s Schools.
Superintendent Christopher Bernier with Lee County School District explained, "There's no price on safety for children we have to ensure that all children are safe every single day. Second piece is the important role in the triangle between law-enforcement and the school at one point and students in another and the other real critical part of the triangle is parents and guardians we need them."
Sheriff Marceno, "Are you aware of what they are posting on social media? Are you yes you parents looking into your kids book bags every morning and night?"
The School Threat Enforcement Team is also responsible for providing intelligence support to the Youth Services Division with the mission of preventing violence in the school environment.
WATCH NOW | Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno
