CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Safety is more on the minds of parents these days as sometimes deadly incidents are increasing in schools, but Chesapeake school officials are trying to calm fears by hiring more resource deputies.

The start of the 2023 school year saw a heavier presence of law enforcement on the campuses of Chesapeake elementary schools. Thanks to a grant, the sheriff’s office was able to hire eight school resource deputies and a supervisor. This year, the grant was extended, allowing for the hire of six additional school resource deputies, along with another supervisor, to cover their 28 elementary schools.

“And that would help us — from one deputy that would have three to five schools to oversee, now it’s one deputy who would oversee two schools,” said Chesapeake Undersheriff David Rosado. “So, it’s a lot more safety consideration inside those schools,” Chesapeake Undersheriff David Rosado said.

After several recent school shootings across the country, including one at Richneck Elementary in Newport News, parents may have concerns. Rosado said parents have expressed to him their gratitude, and he loves seeing the students’ reaction.

“And they give them high-fives,” Rosado said. “They greet them with a big smile and they know that they’ll be safe.”

Before, a deputy from a middle or high school would have to leave their post to respond to any incidents. Since they’ve been added, deputies have definitely proven their worth.

“The school resource deputies actually fielded 500 incidents in the elementary schools just last year,” Rosado said. “So imagine if we weren’t there.”

And one part of the vetting process is how those deputies interact with students.

“The students are just enamored with our school resource deputies because the ones that work there, they just have the biggest heart and they love the kids.”

In addition to the grant, the city of Chesapeake approved $490,000 to help with costs this year.