Chatham Twp Mayor Suggests Creating School Safety Foundation

CHATHAM TWP, NJ — In the wake of a deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Chatham Township Mayor Curt Ritter proposed establishing a "Chatham Safety Foundation, which would raise private funds to supplement the Board of Education’s efforts to support additional school counselors, mental health education and training for teachers and students, as well as increased security improvements and personnel."

The foundation would be structured similarly to the Chatham Education Foundation and Chatham Athletic Foundation, which both raise and donate private funds to the schools to support academic and athletic programs.

Schools across the nation have grappled with how to address safety concerns in the wake of a shooting in Parkland, Texas that left 17 students and teachers dead, while dealing with threats against their own districts. Nearly a dozen schools in New Jersey were affected by threats, including Chatham.

Social media postings by a Chatham middle schooler, some of which referenced a school shooting, were investigated by police earlier this week, but were found to be not credible.

In addition to creating a foundation, Ritter also stressed the need to address mental health issues and security preparedness in a statement emailed to Patch.

The Township has made efforts over the years to address mental health issues, including raising over $130,000 for suicide prevention during the Out Of The Darkness Walk, declaring itself a "Stigma Free" community, and providing community resources on their website, Ritter said.

• Read More: Chatham Mayor Speaks For Suicide Awareness, Prevention

"Importantly each of these initiatives have helped to increase the awareness and discussion around mental health. Our third annual Out of the Darkness Walk is scheduled for late September at Cougar Field and I encourage everyone to get involved," Ritter said.

The police department is also trained in active shooter situations, and in teaching students about "the dangers of drugs," Ritter said.

Ritter said he would continue to work to make sure police and teachers were trained to respond to active shooter situations and to address mental health, and encouraged the conversation to continue in the town.

"Unfortunately far too often we have seen one tragedy fade from the headlines as it soon becomes an afterthought until the next tragedy. If people want change they need to stay involved and let their voice be heard," Ritter said, inviting residents to email him at mayor@chathamtownship-nj.gov.

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