IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — The Iredell County Sheriff's Office got the go-ahead from county commissioners to hire someone to investigate school threats and help design security plans in case of an active shooter or another threat.
"I'd much rather be proactive than reactive and this is one of those things," Sheriff Darren Campbell said.
The sheriff asked county commissioners Tuesday night to approve a new position for a threat assessment education investigator. That person would be the sole contact for investigating threats anywhere in the county and relaying information to the community. The $40,000 position wouldn't cost taxpayers any new money because the sheriff already has enough money for it in his budget this year.
A few weeks ago, the Sheriff's Office investigated more than five threats to schools.
"Today's day and age, you can't be safe enough," parent Bryan Dean said.
Campbell said his office has been flooded with requests for active shooter training, another task for the new position.