HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — As school begins in Hamilton County, threats against schools and teachers are a big concern.
But what red flags are there when it comes to juvenile crime? And what safety measures are schools taking?
We spoke with a School Resource Officer (SRO) Wednesday to find out.
One of those laws upgrades the penalty for threatening violence on school property from a misdemeanor to a felony.
A second offense means any juvenile convicted of threatening a school will lose their driver's license for a year.
It's all part of a statewide effort to ensure the safety of Tennessee students.
Here in Hamilton County, school districts and law enforcement agencies are also entering the new school year with safety in mind.
Cordario Eatmon is an SRO at Collegedale Academy. He says.
"This is my first time being an SRO. So I've strictly done patrol work."
It's officer Eatmon's first day of school, at least when it comes to wearing a uniform.
He's serving all three of Collegedale Academy's campuses as an SRO through the Collegedale Police Department.
"Building relationships with the kids, that's a big thing. And, you know, walking around for safety measures and all that other good stuff," Eatmon says.
But SRO's aren't the only ones tasked with keeping kids in line.
Sam Mairs, Hamilton County juvenile court administrator, says.
"Kids who are committing the crimes aren't usually in school."
Mairs works with teens every day as the Hamilton County juvenile court administrator.
He says one big push this year is controlling school threats.
That's after several new Tennessee laws dealing with school threats just went into effect this July.
"It's a much, much different world. You cannot take these things for granted, and the law enforcement officers will not take it for granted," Mairs says.
Tennessee's 2023 safe school report says there's been a nearly 200 percent increase in bomb threats since the 2018-2019 school year.
When a threat is made, Mairs says schools in Hamilton County will follow procedure.
"False report, calling it a bomb threat, or threat minus violence, even if these kids go on social media, that's illegal. They can be arrested for that."
Now that the school year has begun, what are some steps or resources schools and parents can use to reduce the chances of crime among their students?
Mairs says it's all about community programs and mentors.
"Counseling is a very good place to start. You know, big brothers, big sisters. A lot of kids will turn towards the gang life because they're in search of family."
But for Officer Eatmon, it's a day-by-day solution.
"It's just one day at a time, that's all we can do."
The Chattanooga Police Department told us they've seen a slight increase in juvenile crime over the years, with more auto theft and shoplifting offenses.
Just a few days ago, CPD's intelligence unit met with the Hamilton County SROs to go over crime trends that they might see in schools this year.