>Sunday, September 14, 2008
BY EVONNE COUTROS
Staff Writer
RIDGEWOOD — Security has been upgraded at Benjamin Franklin Middle School after an early-morning incident last week in which a man entered the building and was subsequently charged by police with making terroristic threats.
A full-time security guard has been hired to stand at the front entrance of the school, beginning today. monday
The security measures were detailed in a letter to parents from Principal Anthony Orsini.
Police said the intruder – who is known to police – resisted arrest at about 8:30 a.m. last Monday after they were called by school staff who noticed he did not belong in the building on North Van Dien Avenue.
In addition to the terroristic threat charge, the man was charged with criminal trespass, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. He was taken to Bergen Regional Medical Center for evaluation.
Orsini’s letter said the security measures, which include restricted entry into the building, are immediate. to the community,” the letter said. “We are also working with police to ensure that the individual will not be able to come near the building in the future.”
The security guard will wear a polo shirt with the word “security” on it and will be posted inside the school’s front entrance from 7:30 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., with a line of sight to the exterior of the building, the letter said.
The guard will patrol the grounds from 2:45 p.m. until the end of his shift and will be on the premises during recess and some physical education periods.
Key staff also will have “the ability to have radio communications at all times so that people can be diligent in all parts of the building,” the letter said.
Visitors should enter the building through entrances equipped with buzz-in capabilities, the letter said, and immediately report to the main office, or security will be called.