Safety, Security Of Students & Staff Is 'Paramount' In Bridgewater-Raritan

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Following the mass school shooting in Georgia where four were killed, Superintendent Robert Beers expressed his sentiments and reassured parents of the district's enhanced security.

"As we celebrate the excitement associated with a new school year, we are heartbroken over the report of yet another mass school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia," said Beers in an email to the community on Friday. "Any time our nation endures a tragic event with a loss of young lives, we naturally examine safety procedures and protocols within our community."

Beers added that he holds "the safety and security of all 8,000 students and approximately 1,000 employees paramount and will continue to reevaluate our processes to provide a safe and secure environment for everyone within the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District."

Reassuring parents of the district's school security, Beers shared that the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education expanded their security team this past summer to enhance coverage of all school buildings.

The security team is made up of 14 security monitors and two School Resource Officers — who are all retired law enforcement officers.

Additionally, new secure vestibules, updated cameras, swipe, and communications systems were added this summer to school buildings as well.

"The requisite investments in school safety were significant and prioritized by the Board of Education and District administration through the passage of our district referendum and yearly budget allocations," said Beers.

Every one of the district's schools has an active threat assessment team consisting of:

• A school counselor or professional with counseling credentials
• Teaching staff member
• Administrator
• School Resource Officer or Security Director
• School Safety Specialist

"Finally, school security is a community issue, and we kindly ask that parents and guardians discuss with their children the need to report any potential threats to adults who can help," said Beers. "Together, we can keep our students and faculty safe."

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