Newtown Calls for Armed School Officers
Newtown Calls for Armed School Officers
George Colli and Thomas Kienzler
The Newtown Board of Education requests the town fund additional armed police officers.
The Newtown Board of Education wants more armed police officers in the town’s four elementary schools after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Last night, they decided to ask the town to approve the request to include one additional full-time Newtown police at each of the elementary schools in next year’s budget.
Members of the board will meet today with state and federal officials about obtaining additional funding for security.
“Our parents are demanding of us that things are made safe and secure and certain measures are put in place,” Chairwoman Debbie Leidlein said. “So we’re being very thoughtful.”
Several police officers have been stationed at all Newtown schools since the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, where 20 children and six staff members were killed.
Those officers will remain at the school through the remainder of the school year, but the budget for the next fiscal year funds only resource officers at middle and high schools.
Parents said security means more than a police presence.
“My main concern is with accessibility to these school, said Neil Johnson, a parent of two Newtown students. “On December 14th, that was the main bare-boned reason that occurred.”
“After what happened in our community, I just think we should go over and above and provide a shining example for the rest of the world and protect our kids,” said resident Donna Lorenz.
I’d love to see an active denial system developed for school security as well. There are non-lethal means to delay and immobilize an attacker and protect the children. If we’ve got the money to fund this for the military, why not for perimeter defense of a school building? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmuyLIrSjxI