Police Presence at South Brunswick Schools Following Shooting in Connecticut

The South Brunswick Police Department increased its presence at all schools in the township throughout the day following a mass murder at an elementary school in Connecticut on Friday.

The police checks are commonly conducted as part of routine patrol efforts in coordination with the school district. 

“We place personnel in different locations based on a needs assessment," said Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "Increased officers around the schools were a priority based on the events in Connecticut. These efforts are meant to reassure parents, students and staff of our commitment to a safe school environment.”

Earlier today, at least 27 people were killed in an elementary school, including 18 children, in the Southwestern Connecticut town of Newtown. The incident was the second deadliest school shooting in American history.

according to reports.

The gunman deliberately went to Sandy Hook Elementary School with the intention of killing his mother who was a kindergarten teacher at the school, according to NBC Channel 4. 

State Sen. Barbara Buono released the following statement regarding the incident.

"What happened today in Newtown is every parent's gravest fear. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, particularly those who face the unspeakable heartache of losing a child to such senseless violence. Connecticut's loss will be felt all across the country, and Americans will stand together to comfort the grieving families and take steps to ensure a tragedy like this isn't repeated." 

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt also released a statement, urging a discussion on ways to bring gun violence under control.

“We can’t just keep saying, ‘Our hearts ache for the victims and their families.’  We have to bring gun violence under control.

“Of course we are all horrified by today’s violence in Connecticut.  Such tragedies are always senseless, but it is especially sickening to see gunfire turned against children in a place of learning.

“Yet it is not enough to feel sickened.  In the aftermath of these horrific events, there will, as always, be those who will warn us against ‘politicizing’ this tragedy by discussing gun safety.  These claims are ideologically motivated, and they are profoundly wrong.

“When, after a hurricane strikes, we advocate for funding to mitigate future floods, that is not ‘politicizing’ a tragedy.  When, after a terrorist attack, we advocate for better measures to prevent future deaths, that is not ‘politicizing’ a tragedy.  The notion that gun violence is somehow different—that it deserves unique immunity from serious conversation in our political dialogue – is nonsensical.

“Policymakers have an obligation to respond to problems by finding solutions.  The solution to gun violence is, in part, to address gun safety.  Arguments that deny this fact strike me as illogical or blindly ideological.”