Roma ISD buys ballistic police shields

The Roma school board recently approved the purchase of 10 ballistic shields for the district’s police department, enough to equip each officer at every one of its campuses. (Courtesy: Roma ISD)

The Roma school board recently approved the purchase of 10 ballistic shields for the district’s police department, enough to equip each officer at every one of its campuses.

The shields are expected to be delivered by December, the district announced in a release Tuesday.

“At a total cost of more than $76,000 these shields can save lives and ensure our police department can act quickly and efficiently in case of an emergency at any campus location,” Superintendent Carlos M. Gonzalez Jr wrote. “We want to thank our school board for their decision to approve this purchase that will empower our officers and give them access to equipment that some other districts have not yet funded.”

The shields, which Gonzalez describes as an “essential tool,” stop or deflect bullets and other projectiles, according to the district.

“Honestly we hope we never have to use these shields, but the community can be assured that we are prepared and ready if the need ever arises,” Roma ISD Police Chief Benjamin Gonzalez wrote. “We are passionate about protecting the students in our community and vow to do whatever we can to keep them safe. Thank you Superintendent Gonzalez and to the Roma ISD School Board for continuing to empower us in our mission.”

School safety has become a chief concern for local districts in the wake of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde in May and a wave of threats to local schools that followed, with police describing that trend as a copycat effect.

In August, the McAllen Independent School District briefed its board on plans to apply for a grant that would fund 62 bullet-resistant shields for its police department.