Survey: Since Newtown school attack 85% of N.J. school districts have tightened security
OCTOBER 28, 2014, 9:00 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014, 9:00 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
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Since the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn., more than 85 percent of school districts in New Jersey have taken new security measures, including adding cameras, hiring security and making building changes, according to a 2013 survey of local school officials.
Their responses were included as part of a report titled “What Makes Schools Safe?” released Tuesday by a task force of the New Jersey School Boards Association. The task force studied security improvements and made recommendations for school safety.
Of the 273 school board presidents and business administrators who answered the survey, about two-thirds said their schools had made technology improvements, including adding surveillance cameras and upgrading electronic access systems for buildings.
About 45 percent said they had made physical changes like safeguarding windows and doors and changing outside landscaping. Just under a quarter started using emergency alert systems, while an additional 31 percent added perimeter patrols.
Since Newtown, many schools have hired security personnel. About 17 percent of respondents use retired officers and 19 percent use non-police security, but the survey did not ask if those individuals carry weapons. An additional 2 percent employ part-time police who are paid less and don’t have training to work in schools.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/survey-since-newtown-school-attack-85-of-n-j-school-districts-have-tightened-security-1.1120219#sthash.iIoQ7Nzm.dpuf
