News Crime and Safety Schools

Beloved School Resource Officer May Be Forced to Say Goodbye to the Kids He Protects

by David Volz April 15, 2026

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Commissioner Arlene Schwartz and Vice Mayor Anthony Caggiano with Anthony Careccia. {David Volz}

Anthony Careccia loves being the school resource officer at Margate Elementary.

A respected, friendly Margate police officer, he teaches the D.A.R.E. program and gently steers children in the right direction by encouraging them to make good decisions and handle peer pressure.

But Careccia may not be able to remain at Margate Elementary. On April 10, Margate Police Chief Michael Palma received a letter from Broward County Schools Police Chief Kevin Nosowicz stating that the school district will no longer contract with Margate for SROs, effective August 10. Reasons given include school closures, program transitions, and contract reductions, according to the letter.

Careccia is disappointed and unsure what he will do. “I love the kids at Margate Elementary School, and I want to continue working as an SRO,” he said.

He has won the hearts of the Margate Elementary community. During the December D.A.R.E. graduation for fifth graders, students and parents stood in line to talk with him.

Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano said he hopes Broward schools’ leaders will reconsider.

“The Margate schools’ SROs are role models to our kids, and they are known in the community. They sent us this letter on Friday, and would not return our calls,” said Ruzzano.

Commissioner Arlene Schwartz expressed frustration that Broward schools made the decision without contacting Margate’s leadership. According to Schwartz, the commission has not been notified about how the SROs will be replaced or what steps will be taken next.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.