Introducing LHES School Resource Officer Stan Kraytchev

Police Officer Stanislav “Stan” Kraytchev has been assigned to a new beat – one that still allows him to protect and serve the Lanai community, but is far more rewarding than his days on patrol with the Maui Police Department.

As Lanai High and Elementary School’s (LHES) new School Resource Officer (SRO), Kraytchev is charged with delivering the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program at LHES and provides law-related counseling and serves as a liaison between the school and the Police Department. He also supports law-related educational programs at the school in an effort to reduce crime, drug abuse, violence and provide a safe school environment.

From Bulgaria to Lanai

Kraytchev, who is originally from Bulgaria, has lived on Lanai since November 2011. After arriving in Chicago when he was 17 years old, he found his way to Oahu in 2000 and has been in the islands ever since. He was hired by the Maui Police Department in 2010 and in 2011, was assigned to the district of Lanai as a patrol officer.

LHES principal Elton Kinoshita is pleased to have Officer Kraytchev as a resource to students. “We are excited not only about the classes Officer Kraytchev teaches but the fact that he will be a positive role model for our students,” he said.

Enjoying the Lanai Community

Officer Kraytchev has discovered a bit of home in a Bulgarian-friendly community at a church on Lanai that travels regularly to Bulgaria for missions trips. He plans to eventually move his wife and family from Oahu to Lanai soon but for the meantime, commutes between the islands. On Lanai, he said, “There’s not a better place to enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer, such as hunting, fishing and ATV driving. I love the family-oriented community of Lanai and enjoy working with kids. The close-knit community is an advantage and I’m glad to be working with the students.”