Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
This morning, Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) presented a $5,000 grant to the Walker County Commission for the purchase of tactical backpack entry tool kits. The grant funded 15 kits, ensuring every school resource officer (SRO) in the Walker County School System is now equipped with tools for tactical breaching and fast entry into locked areas during school emergencies.
The kits contain a sledgehammer, an adjustable pry bar, and bolt cutters. Carbon Hill SRO Amy Garrison explained how these tools could be used in a school setting.
“If there’s a threat on the other side of a door, we have a couple of options,” Garrison said. “One is a sledgehammer, which can be used alone or in combination with this pry bar. The pry bar can be adjusted depending on what’s needed—it can break glass, wedge into a door, or be used in other ways. These two tools can be used together. For example, if there was a threat behind this door here [in the County Commission boardroom], we’d wedge the pry bar between the door and the frame. Then, using the sledgehammer, we’d strike the end to force the door open. The technique depends on the door material and where the wedge is placed.
“In situations where we might need to breach chained doors, we also have bolt cutters. Thankfully, I haven’t had to use them for a real threat. So far, I’ve only used them to help students who’ve been locked out of their lockers. Hopefully, that’s all we’ll ever need them for. We’re very grateful to have these tools available in our schools.”
Walker County Schools Superintendent Dennis Willingham said the district has benefited from Cawaco’s support in many ways.
“Cawaco has been very good to our school system and helped us in a lot of different ways with safety and with health and well-being programs,” Willingham said. “Every year, Cawaco somehow, someway is helping the Walker County School system and our children. I know I appreciate that, and our board members appreciate that as well.”
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith emphasized the importance of the equipment in high-risk situations.
“This toolkit is vital for SROs in the event of an active shooter,” Smith said. “A lot of times, when you look at events that happen across the nation and the state, the shooter will chain up a door or find some way to secure people inside the building. It’s vital for SROs to have the tools to gain entry into a door that might be locked or secured.”
Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley), speaking on behalf of himself and Senator Matt Woods (R-Jasper), also highlighted the impact of RC&D grants in the community.
“These RC&D grants really help,” Wadsworth said. “We were at the McCollum-Midway Volunteer Fire Department this morning. Their medical truck had been down with engine issues for over 12 months, and they were using a brush truck to do the medical calls. RC&D was able to provide the funding for repairs to the medical truck. We appreciate everything RC&D does in this area.”
Cawaco RC&D is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports educational and community development projects in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties. Funded through the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils, Cawaco provides competitive grants to small towns and nonprofits that might not receive funding from larger agencies. The organization prioritizes projects that are cost-effective, make a broad community impact, and where a modest investment will make a significant difference. WL
