Weapons Found At Asbury Park Schools During 2016-17 Year

It's not just an issue at high schools or in high-crime areas anymore. The state Department of Education's recently released statistics on "Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse" show that 578 schools, many of them elementary, had at least one incident involving a "weapon" during the 2016-17 school year.

Asbury Park reported that these schools had weapons:

• Asbury Park High School, ASBURY PARK, MONMOUTH 4
• Barack Obama Elementary School, ASBURY PARK, MONMOUTH 4

The state Department of Education defines "weapon" as anything from a handgun to items that were much more commonly found in schools, including knives, air guns and even pepper spray. "Weapons include any instrument readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting bodily injury," according to the state Department of Education.

According to the state, not every school reports an incident involving a weapon, and some districts are more diligent than others. Indeed, one elementary school in Somers Point, Atlantic County had the fifth highest number of weapons incidents during the 2016-17 year.

The issue has resonated with the public and public safety officials since the mass fatal shooting of 17 people at a Florida high school last week. Police departments in several New Jersey communities have been increasing their presence at area schools following a rash of potential threats in their local school districts last week.

Read more: Weapons Found In These 578 NJ Schools During 2016-17 Year

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