Episode Description

In this episode of the H2Know Podcast, host Zach Harig sits down with Deputy John Dekkinga, School Resource Officer for Hamilton Community Schools and a deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office.

A 2018 graduate of Hamilton High School, Deputy Dekkinga reflects on what it’s like returning to his home district in a new role — one that goes far beyond law enforcement. Together, they dive into school safety, relationship-building with students, school zone speed enforcement, red light violations around school buses, and how parents can help keep kids safe both on the road and online.

This candid conversation pulls back the curtain on what an SRO actually does day-to-day, why presence matters, and how proactive communication and trust can prevent problems before they start.

⏱️ Episode Highlights & Topics Covered

👮‍♂️ From Hawkeye to SRO

• What it’s like returning to Hamilton as a School Resource Officer after graduating in 2018
• How familiarity with buildings, staff, and the community helps in the role
• Transitioning from road patrol to a proactive, relationship-focused position

🎒 What a School Resource Officer Really Does

• Why an SRO isn’t “the scary cop”
• Wearing many hats: safety, counseling, mentoring, monitoring facilities
• Building trust with students before problems arise

🚸 School Zone & Traffic Safety

• Why M-40 / 136 is a 25 mph school zone during arrival and dismissal
• Common misconceptions about speed limits near the schools
• The dangers of speeding during winter weather and high-traffic times
• What parents and community members need to know — and watch for

🚌 School Bus Red Light Violations

• How new stop-arm cameras are improving accountability
• How often violations are occurring — especially along M-40
• What Michigan law requires drivers to do when bus red lights are flashing
• How citations are issued and why enforcement is increasing

📱 Social Media & Student Safety

• What Deputy Dekkinga shares with students during lunch presentations
• Why “temporary” apps aren’t really temporary
• How online actions can follow students longer than they realize
• Real-world examples of how technology misuse is identified and addressed

🤝 Relationships First, Discipline Second

• Why the goal is prevention — not punishment
• How having a relationship makes tough conversations easier
• Helping students learn from mistakes without defining them by those mistakes

🏫 Why Police Presence in Schools Matters

• Daily building safety checks parents never see
• Securing doors, identifying issues, and working with maintenance
• Providing resources schools don’t always have access to
• The balance between safety, trust, and approachability

🗣️ Key Takeaways for Parents

• School safety is about relationships, not fear
• Slowing down in school zones protects real kids, not just rules
• Bus red lights mean stop — always unless there’s a physical median
• What students do online can be traced and carries real consequences
• Deputy Dekkinga is a resource for families, not just enforcement