Armed guard posted at Wake Forest school after trespassings

The Wake County Public School System has posted an armed officer at a Wake Forest elementary school after parents complained about a man repeatedly caught trespassing at the school.

Jones Dairy Elementary School Principal Robert Bendel told parents in a message Wednesday that the off-duty officer would be at the year-round school on class days until further notice.

"As you know, it has been a difficult few days for our school community as we continue to do everything in our power to ensure student safety," Bendel wrote.

The school was placed on lockdown last week during a trespassing incident, and Bendel said the suspect is in custody.

School officials have taken out a trespass order against Arthur Vladimir Kochetkov, 33. Jones Dairy Elementary parents have said he has been an unwelcome presence on campus several times in recent years.

Parents have been up in arms for days about the refusal by the Wake County Sheriff's Office and the Wake Forest Police Department to post a deputy or police officer at the school and the school district's denial of a perimeter fence for the school. A lack of resources was cited in all three cases, according to a letter PTA officials sent to parents.

Although school resource officers patrol area high schools and middle schools, it's unusual for elementary schools to have such security. Before the school district paid for the armed officer at the school, an unarmed security guard had been patrolling the campus.

"I share your concern and frustration as we continue to work toward a permanent resolution of this problem," Bendel wrote to parents.