Community Services

The Community Services Division is composed of the following divisions:

• School Resource Officers
• Crime Prevention
• D.A.R.E.
• Special Events

The Community Services Division was created to streamline, strengthen and enhance the programs that we have historically offered and to develop new programs.

These programs are designed to educate the public, prevent and reduce specific crime problems, keep you and your family safe, foster positive community relations, and continue to build partnerships within the community. This division is also committed to continuing our already exceptional working relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the York County School Division. Our Community Services staff is continually researching new and exciting programs in an effort to meet the needs of our community.

School Resource Officers

The Sheriff’s Office has eight full-time, certified SROs at all of York County’s high schools and middle schools. Each SRO is also assigned as a liaison to their respective elementary schools. The SROs are continually engaged in the operation, safety, and security of their assigned schools.   They also spend time teaching in the classroom.  A few of the programs they teach are Virginia RULES and YOVASO (safe teen driving.) 

Crime Prevention

 Our Crime Prevention unit was created in July 2001 and has two full-time deputies.

The Crime Prevention Unit’s mission is to create awareness among York County and Poquoson residents and merchants as to the roles that they can provide in the reduction and/or prevention of crime. This mission is obtained through providing numerous presentations to the community and civic organizations on topics such as Personal Safety, Home Security, Identity Theft, Neighborhood Watch, Refuse to be a Victim ®, and Internet Safety to name a few. The Crime Prevention Unit also coordinates several highly regarded programs such as, but not limited to, the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy, the Sheriff's Business Academy, the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy for YOUTH, Project Lifesaver, Robbery Prevention, Residential and Commercial Security Surveys, and the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety program. If you have any questions or would like to host a presentation, please feel free to contact Deputy Alan Bartnikowski at 757-890-3639 or Sergeant Shawn Kekoa-Dearhart at 757-890-3642. 

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) 

This section is tasked with providing a comprehensive drug and violence prevention education program for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. D.A.R.E. represents a collaborative effort between school and law enforcement personnel. The program is nationally coordinated by D.A.R.E. America with input from state and local agencies. The primary goals of D.A.R.E. are to prevent substance abuse among school children and help them develop effective resistance techniques. 

Special Events

 The Community Services Division oversees the Sheriff’s Office’s involvement in York County-sponsored special events.  We work closely with the York County Departments of Parks and Recreation and Economic and Tourism Development to provide a secure and safe environment at all special events that occur at the waterfront and other County parks.   Community Services also coordinates the staffing of Deputy Sheriffs at the waterfront throughout the summer months.