Washington, Kennedy will have full-time police officer starting Jan. 3

Uniformed police officers will be in the halls at two more Cedar Rapids high schools in two weeks.

Starting Jan. 3, an officer will be in the halls full-time at Washington High School and Kennedy High School, police said. Sgt. Mark Andries said the police department and the school district are still working out contract details but have agreed on the start date.

Both schools also will eventually move to a computerized, keyless entry system, school administrators said last week.

Jefferson High School was the first school in Cedar Rapids to make the security upgrades in January. Police took only six reports of juvenile trouble there between Sept. 1 and Dec. 14 of this year, compared to 21 the previous year, according to police statistics. Fewer thefts and drug problems were also reported.

Andries said the pilot program at Jefferson has been a big success.

“We find through research and past history at other schools that when there's an officer on site, there's a daily rapport, so whenever something good or bad happens, there's a familiar face to talk to,” Andries said.

Officer Jen Roberts, who graduated from Jefferson, was at her usual post Tuesday when a fight broke out between two boys. Roberts led one of the boys to the office while two teachers restrained the other boy. A third boy got involved when he saw the teachers holding his friend, and pushed and grabbed the arms of the two teachers.

Roberts was right there to respond. The teachers weren't injured, but police said it's a prime example of why school resource officers are valuable.

Roberts has an office if students need to talk with her privately. Her cell phone number is available to all the students and staff.

“She kind of senses when something's not right,” Andries said. “She gets a feel for it.”

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the city has covered Roberts' salary for her work at Jefferson this year. School district administrators said federal money from the Education Jobs Bill would be used to pay for officers at Kennedy and Washington.

Andries said there are no plans right now for officers at any other Cedar Rapids high schools.