Residents near certain Hillsborough County schools may notice an increased presence of patrol cars and flashing lights this month. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a series of active threat response training exercises at local campuses. These drills aim to improve the coordination and rapid-response tactics of school resource deputies, patrol deputies, and specialized units during potential emergency scenarios.
Training Schedule and Locations
The training exercises are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico and Ben Hill Middle School in Carrollwood.
- Thursday, June 4, 2026: Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico.
- Wednesday, June 10, 2026: Bloomingdale High School in Brandon and Sickles High School in Tampa.
- Thursday, June 11, 2026: Sickles High School in Tampa.
All exercises are conducted during non-school hours, and strict safety measures are in place to ensure the drills remain controlled and secure.
Community Awareness and Safety
Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the importance of these exercises, stating, “Training like this is critical to ensuring our deputies are prepared to respond when every second counts.” By using real school campuses, the sheriff’s office aims to strengthen communication, improve response tactics, and enhance coordination between units, prioritizing the safety of students and staff.
Residents near the training sites are advised to keep the schedule in mind and remain aware of their surroundings. The increased activity is solely for practice purposes, and there is no cause for alarm.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
