DeBary-area officials outline school-safety upgrades, drone pilot and behavioral-assessment team

Lieutenant Roy Garsa told the briefing that the Guardian Angel drone pilot will start at Deltona High School in August, with 39 drones intended to help locate active threats quickly and operate with a deputy on-scene. "It's supposed to be deployed when we see an active threat," Garsa said, and he emphasized the program is not designed for routine surveillance.

The briefing also reported that recovered weapons this school year stand at 13 versus 51 last year; presenters said only one recovery involved a firearm this year and credited screening measures and reallocated resources for the decline. Officials raised concern about a trend of younger students being arrested for violent conduct, noting arrests of children as young as 9 to 11 in some cases, and said the county will focus enforcement and summer programming on older juveniles where gaps exist.

Speakers described a behavioral assessments team of trained detectives that investigates threats originating on social media and works to redirect students from pathways to violence; presenters said the team was modeled on Secret Service approaches and has been effective enough to be used in additional settings, including courts.

Training updates included progress in the academy (Academy 8 nearing graduation, Academy 9 in week 13 and plans for Academy 10 in October) and development of a Critical Decision and Tactical Applications Lab for hands-on de-escalation and force-avoidance training. The briefing noted Senate Bill 418 will require state de-escalation training by 2030 but said the office is already incorporating related modules into deputy refreshers this year and offering to expand the training statewide.

Presenters closed by describing monthly reunification drills at Coronado Elementary and other preparedness training with school partners.