The group of dads is part of Watch D.O.G.S., which stands for Dads of Great Students. There are around two dozen Watch D.O.G.S. at Mayflower Elementary who work a short shift during the morning, midday, or early afternoon to keep an eye on what goes on around the school. The dads all have at least one child that attends Mayflower.
"It provides a good school atmosphere and a positive effect and influence on the students," said volunteer and father Steven Cheng.
Watch D.O.G.S. is a national organization. According to its website, there are more than 2600 schools nationwide that have adopted the program, and there is no formal training to participate. At Mayflower Elementary, the dads work on their own strategies to keep the school safer.
"I think it's every parent's responsibility for every kid here," said volunteer and father Mike Lang. "As a community it's our responsibility to raise all our kids and keep them safe."
Since the Connecticut shooting, Mayflower Principal Michelle Wise says she has had to beef up security on the campus. Monrovia police now have an officer visit each school in the city every day.
"The week after the Connecticut shootings they were here much more patrolling the whole school day and it was wonderful, and parents felt better about that," she said.
The Watch D.O.G.S. are the extra layer of security in and around campus. Three Monrovia elementary schools have adopted the Watch D.O.G.S. program.
