Mahwah Schools Taking 'Additional Measures to Heighten Safety'
In light of last Friday's school shooting, are you worried about the safety of Mahwah's students?
In light of an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., last Friday that shocked the nation and has many parents concerned about the safety of their own children, Mahwah school district officials say they are adding “heightened security” measures to township public schools.
Officials declined Monday to comment on the specifics of any security plans changed as a result of the shooting, but did post a note to Mahwah parents on the district website:
"Friday our nation suffered an unimaginable loss, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As we mourn for those children and adults, we also reflect on the safety and care of our own precious children in Mahwah. We recognize that the tragic incident in Connecticut has left our parents, students, and staff feeling unsettled about their safety.
Please know that our district continues to work diligently with the Mahwah Police Department to maintain a safe learning environment for our school community. While we practice security drills regularly under the supervision of the police, we are taking additional measures to heighten everyone’s safety in each building.
We understand that family members need to process together their emotions related to this incident. If your child continues to exhibit undue anxiety, please contact your principal or guidance counselor who can assist you in identifying additional resources."
At a prayer vigil held Monday night at the high school, Mayor Bill Laforet echoed the sentiments in the message.
“We have the best trained staff in our schools and police department,” he said. “But we are working with the school district and the police department to examine security measures in our schools.”
The district also recently decided to up security on Mahwah-owned buses by adding surveillance cameras in them. The move was originally intended as a way to curb bus bullying.
Get Patched in with the Mahwah Patch newsletter. And, get updates on the Mahwah Patch Facebook and Mahwah Patch Twitter.
Mahwah0968
12:18 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Mahwah has an outstanding department of police officers unfortunately, the events that unfolded last week should be a wakeup call to change our game plan with the security of Mahwah schools, churches library etc.
Some of the information that is coming out about that horrific event is that shooter was going to get in that school no matter what, he had an agenda and that was to kill. In a situation like that we need to learn from it and figure out ways to “buy time”, educated the kids , better prepare the teachers, faculty, law enforcement and first responders and parents .
We have a lot of cops on the road but I think there should be a police officer stationed at each school as school is getting in and as school is dismissing. If call comes in they will have to deal with the manpower issue if it should come up but having a police officer respond to an “illegal parked car” can wait. I know some of the schools that when the kids get dropped off they all congregate in a gym or auditorium until school session starts. That should be addressed immediately .
Mahwah0968
12:18 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Some of the schools have Metal Doors, I don’t know a parent in town that would care if their taxes went up a little bit to change all doors to metal doors with wire mesh glass and all the first floor windows should also be thick glass with wire mesh.
cont...All doors in the glass rooms should have an inswing so that a door chock that is hung inside room can be used to barricade the class in.
I sincerely hope members of our Police department, mayor and council and school board take these suggestions and run with them
I don’t want to sound like an alarmist but times have changed and we need to learn from others. My heart goes out to Newtown residents but Mahwah is a very similar town and I would hate to go through that here.
signed
concerned Parent and town First Responder