Bernardsville Police Step Up School Security Following Shooting

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — Bernardsville Police Chief Kevin Valentine, Mayor Kevin Sooy and Somerset Hills School District officials met recently to discuss school security and safety issues following the Florida school shooting.

"The purpose of this meeting was to discuss school security and the extra steps being taken immediately to enhance safety and security at all of our public and private schools," Bernardsville Police stated.

An increased police presence will be seen at schools in the Somerset Hills School District over the next few weeks both in and around the schools.

"The purpose of this action is to intensify current security efforts and alleviate concerns raised regarding this matter over the past few days. We feel this action is prudent given the public concern that this incident has generated," Bernardsville Police Department stated.

Seventeen people were killed during a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At least 14 other people were hospitalized late Wednesday night, according to a Patch report. The shooting happened after a fire alarm was pulled, prompting students and staff at the school to evacuate. The accused gunman, Nikolas Cruz, is a former student at the school.

Police officials noted that there is no specific threat to any of the schools in Bernardsville at this time and actions being taken are "merely precautionary and deemed appropriate to the current circumstances."

Bernardsville Police already patrol the inside and outside of all of the schools and the new action will just increase that.

Surrounding police departments in Bedminster Township, Far Hills and Peapack Gladstone were also asked to join in the new actions since all three towns send students to the public schools located in Bernardsville.

Officials plan to continue to work together to evaluate and refine their existing policies and procedures regarding school safety and security as needed. Residents are also encouraged to share their thoughts and suggestions with the Bernardsville Police via email to police@bernardsvillepd.org.

"The safety and security of our schools always has been, and remains the collective responsibility of the entire community. Parents, students, teachers, staff and community members all play an important role in this matter. Paramount among those responsibilities is the requirement to speak up if you hear or learn of anything that threatens the safety and security of our schools," police said.

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