The State College Police Department is making school safety a top priority. Now they have a new program that increases their presence in local elementary schools.

Officer Mike Mamolen walks the hallways of an elementary school nearly every day checking doors. “I look for anything unusual make sure the doors are locked just make sure it’s safe and secure for the kids."

It's part of the School Patrol Program. The program launched after the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last year. State College police chief, Tom king says this is a permanent commitment for the department. "It is very critical that we put the highest priority in making sure our school buildings are as safe as we can make them." He says everyday an officer from State College, Ferguson and Patton Townships randomly check on all nine elementary schools in the district. “They go into the schools at random times during the school day and make patrols through the buildings."

King says the goal is to increase visibility and build relationships with the teachers, kids and parents. This is something Officer Mamolen believes is working. "A lot of times I'll be in the parking lot and I'll get a wave hello, a thank you, parents are happy to have a second pair of eyes on their children."

Officers haven't found anything out of the ordinary so far, but Superintendent Robert O'Donnell says just their presence is making a difference. "I think it helps us, our staff our students, parents too, to feel that it’s much safer in our schools.

Chief King says his officers are also taking notes on improvements that the district can make to their buildings to up their security, and the superintendent says those changes will be coming.