Brick Schools, Police Aim For Reassurance After Texas Shooting

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township Schools officials and the Brick Township Police Department were reinforcing safety protocols in the wake of Tuesday's mass shooting at a Texas elementary school that killed 19 children and two teachers.

The school district had an added police presence on Wednesday, as did school districts throughout New Jersey after the shootings Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

Brick Superintendent Thomas G. Farrell and Brick Police Chief James J. Riccio issued a joint statement Wednesday afternoon that urged the schools community to work together with police and authorities to identify threats before a tragedy happens.

"We understand, as a school community, the frightening impact an event like this has on our students, staff, parents, and community as a whole," the joint statement said about the mass shooting. "The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority."

"We hesitate to alarm and instead try to reassure that the Brick Township Public Schools and Brick Township Police Department diligently work together to assess potential threats," the statement said. "Our leadership team, school resources offices, school security officers, and the Brick Police Department work together to strictly adhere to all safety protocols."

"It’s important to note that we cannot do this alone and that as a community we must all work together to assess potential threats and to encourage anyone who sees or hears of suspicious activity to report it immediately," the statement said.

Threats and suspicious activity can be reported directly to the police, to school officials, or by using the WeTip link on the school district website.