Chatham Will Place Additional Armed Police Officers In Schools

CHATHAM, NJ — The Chatham Township School District will have armed Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO) stationed at all schools at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, according to Chatham Township Mayor Ashley Felice.

Officers are currently stationed at Chatham High School and Lafayette Avenue School. SLEO Charlie Ribaudo is assigned to the Lafayette School, and SLEO Ryan Mote is assigned to the High School. The Chathams School District has also assigned an unarmed security guard to the high school. Southern Boulevard School will receive a new SLEO beginning next year.

This decision is in response to the Uvalde, Texas school massacre, where 19 elementary school students and two teachers were shot to death, Felice said.

"Each weekday morning, I drive my two young daughters to school. Like most parents, I’m incredibly thankful they can go to school in person, and forever will be, after COVID forced us into a virtual learning environment a little over two years ago. As happy as I am that my girls are in school, in person, my girls are even happier. Teachers, as we have all learned, are truly superheroes. And children need to be with other children. When I drop my daughters off, I say to them two things that to me are unquestionable. 'I love you. I’ll see you at pickup.' After the horrific tragedy that occurred in Uvalde, Texas last week, I realize, my unquestionable daily routine is anything but guaranteed. A child should be dropped off at school, excited to see their friends and teachers, and in a few short hours return to a loving home. School drop-off should never be the last place a parent sees his or her child alive. As a parent, its incomprehensible to imagine what every single person connected to the tragedy in Uvalde must be going through, and I know I speak for our entire community when I say our hearts and thoughts are with each and every one of them. As the Mayor of Chatham Township, I want residents to know that I am determined with resolve to make sure we make the best preparations to prevent a tragedy, such as the one that occurred in Uvalde, from happening here in our community," Felice said.

Felice worked with Chief of Police Tom Miller to develop the following plan to ensure the safety of all of our teachers, administrators, staff, volunteers and students.

Along with the additional armed officers in the schools, the safety plan calls for officers to visit each school, including the Chatham Day School, at least three times. Exterior inspections of facilities, including parking lots, as well as interior inspections of schools, are part of the visits.

These school-based patrols have been in place for several years.

All township officers have received the most recent active shooter in-school training. Currently, the department has two certified active shooter trainers who not only train but also educate and train others in law enforcement.

Township officers will be trained in the most recent specialized techniques in the coming weeks, with the next session scheduled for this summer.

In addition to their physical presence, students, faculty, and parents can submit anonymous concerns to the Morris County Sheriff's Department through RSVP-3, a program established by the department.

Individuals can use this app to submit tips anonymously, which are then forwarded to local law enforcement and appropriate school officials. The Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, which includes relevant school officials as well as local law enforcement, then evaluates these suggestions.

"As Mayor, I assure you, that in conjunction with the Chief of Police of Chatham Township, we are doing everything possible to ensure that you can say to your child, with confidence each morning, as you drop him or her off at school, I love you. I’ll see you later," Felice said.