Schools

Preparedness is Key in School Safety Says Police, School Officials

New Jersey School Board Association forum offered the opportunity for parents to hear from local law enforcement and school officials on what is being done to make schools safe.

When it comes down to being ready for an emergency situation in schools, the key element is preparedness.

For a little more than two hours Wednesday night local law enforcement and school officials tackled the pressing issue of school safety in front of an audience of 200 made up mostly of parents by a show of hands.

The New Jersey School Board Association hosted this forum at Paramus High School to give parents an opportunity to hear from local officials about what measures local districts are taking on this issue which has come to the forefront since the Newtown, Conn. tragedy.

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Among the panelists were Paramus' Acting Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg and Superintendent Ken Rota who were joined by Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli, Westwood police sergeants Michael Pontillo and Matthew McClutchy, Chief Robert Kugler of Saddle Brook, Chief Donald Keane of Cliffside Park and Linda Diemer, director of secondary education in Secaucus schools.

Law enforcement and school officials covered many elements such as identifying problems as a way to prevent such events as an active shooter situation from happening along with implementing strategies to keep students and staff safe.

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Molinelli told all that every law enforcement officer in the entire county is trained to handle these types of situations. Training for these types of situations did not begin with Newtown, Conn. as it has been an ongoing thing but the recent tragedy has caused most districts to reassess their security plans.

He gave credit to teachers, all who continuously receive lock down training, who are asked so much more these days than to teach students reading, writing and math.

The audience got to watch a compelling video created for school personnel on the measures that must be taken during a lockdown emergency. The audience was able to see the vital role teachers need to play and that students need to comply with rules they are told as every measure taken is for their own protection.

Every district and police department has different issues and different needs but all the leaders agreed that preparedness and prevention is key. Preventive measures include identifying any problems or threats which should be communicated between the police and school officials regularly.

Communication between school staffers and their students is key as well and it's important to let the students know when they report something they are doing something good and not being "a snitch."

Panelists shared their views on manning schools with police officers or retired officers who can carry firearms. Many pointed to manpower issues which don't allow their police department to be able to afford to provide a school resource officer.

Kugler said Saddle Brook had a SRO in the school for 10 years but due to loss of manpower over the past few years the position had to be cut. He hopes to see it implemented again.

In Paramus, officers periodically stop in the schools throughout the day when time allows interacting with staff and students which is being very well received, both Ehrenberg and Rota relayed.

In Westwood, officers are present at schools both in the mornings and at dismissal interacting with school officials keeping open dialogue about activity and anything they should be aware of, said Pontillo.

The law enforcement officials told the audience that every school is required to conduct lockdown drills and every officer is trained in what to do if such an incident where to ever occur in the area.

Assemblywoman Connie Wagner reiterated the importance of being prepared. After watching the video she said she now understands and would know what to do in such an emergency. She's advised her own 5-year old granddaughter to listen to her teacher in a lockdown situation and that she would be fine. 

Raymond Wiss, the immediate past-president of the New Jersey School Board Association, said school safety information is accessible via the web at www.njsba.org/schoolsecurity

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