By Joe Olenick<br><a href="mailto:joe.olenick@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Joe</a>
NEWFANE — There’s a new sheriff’s deputy in the Town of Newfane.
Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Birmingham was introduced Tuesday as the new school resource officer in the Newfane School District. Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski said the district was very excited about bringing Birmingham aboard to fill the SRO position, something that has been a constant topic of discussion in Newfane. Birmingham succeeds Deputy Joe Flagler as Newfane’s SRO.
“This is something that is good for the children, good for the community,” Pogorzelski said.
A Lewiston area native, Birmingham started as SRO in Newfane on Oct. 19. The district is still ironing out details about the SROs job description and evaluation with the sheriff’s department, Pogorzelski said. Both have been areas of concern from residents in the past, as previously, the SRO position did not clearly define either.
“We want to make sure that the program is the way we want it,” Pogorzelski said.
The SRO contract is for 12 months, meaning Birmingham will be on duty in the summer months. But there will be duties Birmingham will perform during those months, Pogorzelski said.
“We’ll have a worthwhile list of things to do,” he said.
During the school year, Pogorzelski said Newfane is planning to have Birmingham involved with the community. In the future, Birmingham will be participating in some district parent information nights and other activities with students.
Birmingham was chosen by the sheriff’s department to fill the Newfane SRO role and will have his salary and benefits covered by the department. He is still an employee of the sheriff’s department, which means Newfane purchases the SRO service from the department. A total cost of the service was not available Tuesday.
Aside from law enforcement training, Birmingham also has a teaching certificate from Niagara University. Only on the job for a couple of weeks, Birmingham has already been involved with the kids in the schools, Pogorzelski said.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Birmingham said.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
