Marjory Stoneman Douglas SRO Eric Quigley shakes the hand of incoming freshman Jayden Jaus
By: Sharon Aron Baron
The mood was upbeat when Parkland residents met members their police and fire department at the annual National Night out event on Wednesday.
After taking his post days ago, newly selected Captain Chris Mulligan was on hand meeting parents and children. For 19 years, he has held various roles at the Broward Sheriff’s Office as a member of the S.W.A.T. team, deputy sheriff, sergeant, lieutenant, and executive officer. Before that, he served with the United States Air Force, Army and Army National Guard.
It was also an evening to meet school resource officers. Marjory Stoneman Douglas parents and students met their two new ones (out of three): Eric Quigley and Dean Seymour. Before this year, the school only had one.
James Jaus said his son Jayden, who is entering 9th grade at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, felt better about everything that’s going on in the community, including the presence of the Guardian Angels. “He feels safe, he feels comfortable, and we’ve talked about it quite a bit.”
Each one of the Broward County Public Schools in Parkland had volunteers from their PTO’s at the event. There was also free food from Char-Hut and Nothing Bundt Cakes, a live K9 demonstration, mounted police, and children were able to play on the fire trucks and other equipment.