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WEIRTON -- Weirton police officers will be at all three of the city's public schools as part of the upcoming school year, under an agreement approved by Weirton Council Monday night.
Council approved 7-0 an agreement with the Hancock County Board of Education for City of Weirton officers to be assigned as prevention resource officers at the three public schools.
"There will now be resource officers at Weir High, Weir Middle and Weirton Elementary School," City Manager Mike Adams explained near the end of Monday's council meeting.
During last week's Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Charlie Kush noted the PRO program, which is partially funded through a grant, would cover 75 percent of the salary and benefits for the assigned officers, representing the time they are working in the schools.
In past years, city officers were assigned to Weir High and Weir Middle, with Hancock County deputies at Weirton Elementary, as well as all other public Hancock County schools.
The grant for the PRO program is administered through the Hancock County Commission, which approved its renewal Thursday for the period of Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023.
The Hancock County Board of Education has not yet voted on the agreement.
In related matters, Weirton Council also unanimously approved a contract for the purchase of a new K-9 for the Weirton Police Department, at a cost of $8,500.
"It's an all-purpose dog," Kush explained following the meeting, noting the dog will be available for drug searches, apprehensions and tracking details.
Kush said the department currently has a roster for six K-9s, but they anticipate some retirements later this year, and also the purchase of another dog.