Ephrata schools security officers foster connections

EPHRATA — Mike Crowder and Greg Hutchison are familiar faces at Ephrata High School. The two security officers, both of whom have law enforcement experience, have their office inside the Ephrata High Commons. 

Crowder said the location of their office is by design. 

“We try to be out and present during transitions (between classes), so we’re out there during (breaks) and (students) see us,” he said. “And actually, the placing of our office, the reason we’re right in the commons is they know where to find us.” 

The two security specialists said they patrol all of the Ephrata School District campuses and work to ensure the students, faculty and staff are safe, as anyone would expect from school security. However, they also know part of the job is to be an adult who students can come to if they’re facing challenges or just need someone to talk to. While safety is job one, having the student’s trust is necessary to identify problems and make a difference. Simple things like clothing can have an impact on that aspect of the job.

“We dress like any other staff member so we’re approachable to the kids,” Crowder said. 

Hutchison, who retired from law enforcement after 30 years, said a good day for him is one with no incidents. The students come in, go to class and learn. 

Crowder, with 27 years in law enforcement, said their skills learned as officers in other settings help in their current roles. 

“I think we’re both pretty good at interviews; keeping them comfortable and talking to us (so) we can find out what the root of the problem is,” Crowder said. 

Crowder is a familiar face to many of the students who know him more as a coach than as a deputy or security specialist. 

“It was kind of a natural transition to the schools because I’ve been a coach here for so long,” he said. “And now I coach middle school football, girls wrestling and boys wrestling.” 

Ephrata High School Principal Aaron Cummings said he first got to know Crowder through his coaching and that students had a rapport with Crowder before he came on as a security specialist. His existing relationships with students and the community have been an asset. 

“(Crowder) has a reputation here in Ephrata as a football coach, as a (deputy) sheriff and he definitely brings that. He does a really good job of connecting with kids.” 

Cummings said that, while Hutchison may not have had that coaching experience to bring to the table, he has other strengths. 

“He has a very calming nature to him, and he’s very good with kids, and I think kids feel safe with those guys here. You know, they bring maturity, and they bring experience. They help connect with some of our kids that are struggling and maybe making poor choices and help them maybe make better choices,” Cummings said.

Keeping that connection with the students is a perk of the job. Both guards said they felt it was best to have a relatively low-key day than to have to use the skills from their prior careers on campus. While safety assessments, drills and other things are also in their list of job responsibilities, a day spent without an urgent situation is best. 

“A boring day is great,” Crowder said. “But we work closely with the administration. We do threat assessments and all sorts of investigations when we have incidents.” 

Some of the skills needed in schools are different, they said. Some of the things they face aren’t something that can be fixed with an arrest. Verbal arguments, enforcing school rules and other issues come into play as well. Bullying, with its often digital factors these days, is a problem that can’t always be solved as simply as they’d like.

“One of the biggest challenges is trying to keep up with social media and the law’s changing all the time. You know, cyberbullying is a thing,” Crowder said. 

In the end, the goal is to make sure students are safe and feel like they can come to school, learn and go home without any more stress than necessary, the pair said. They like to ensure that they’re always there for Ephrata students. 

“We’re always reachable,” Crowder said. “I mean, it’s 24/7. If there’s an incident on the weekend, we’ll get called out to deal with it, but our phones are forwarded to our cell phones, so we’re always available.” 

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com.