Apache, Arizona (KGUN) — While some schools have resource officers roaming the hallways for added security, students at Apache Elementary have two members of the Cochise County Sheriff’s Assistance Team (SAT). I am looking forward to meeting you.

For 7th grader Levi Long, having a SAT member in the playground gives him and his classmates a sense of security. His favorite part is when he brings snacks to the students in his one-room schoolhouse. But for lead teacher Roy Ann Guzman and teaching assistant Frank Zepeda, having Dan Long and Jim Varhovic by their side is a treat.

“When I’m in the classroom, it’s a relief to be able to see outside through these windows, rather than constantly looking at fences and things,” Guzman said.

The school’s relationship with the county SAT team began with a broken radio.

“One day in the same year, my daughter called me and said, ‘Mom in Cochise County gives out radios.’ It’s like the police have it,” Guzman said. rice field. Brought it here and it didn’t work. “

Long and Valhovich contacted the school to fix the broken radio, but found 12 reasons to come back to school instead of just fixing the radio.

“There are (12) reasons in the room right next to us,” Long said. “We adopted this school. Those kids capture our hearts. And this is how we give back and help the community we are here in.”

The school has 12 students in the Portal, Arizona area and is in a “nowhere” location. Guzman, who lives in the teacher’s house, says it’s like living on a remote prairie. The school is 40 miles from Douglas and 7 miles from the Arizona/New Mexico border.

Living on school grounds allows Guzman to keep an eye on the property. She said she encountered migrants crossing the border illegally four times a week, mostly at night. Her one of her security strategies was to keep her guard dog to alert her when someone is near her.

“They came to the school fence,” Guzman said. And they’re like, “Hello. Hello. I want something.”

With the help of Long, Valhovich, and other members of the SAT team, a new security camera system was donated to the school. A New Jersey company listened to a school’s needs and donated its equipment. Long, who worked in the security industry before retiring, installed cameras. A video feed goes to the Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol to see what’s happening near your school.

Guzman said people ask if he’s worried about his privacy because the cameras are always rolling, but now he’s worried because he feels safe and knows help is nearby. said no.