Cranford Opens Trio Of Police Stations In Schools

CRANFORD, NJ - The Cranford Police Department and Cranford Public Schools are opening “Police Substations” within the three largest schools in an ongoing effort to increase school safety, security and law enforcement visibility, according to officials.

This effort complements the district’s recent additions to safety and security infrastructure throughout the township’s public schools.

“The purpose of a police substation is to increase police visibility while offering officers
another place to complete reports, make follow-up calls, and conduct school business,” said Cranford Police Chief Ryan Greco.

Currently, both organizations have a shared services agreement in which the schools contribute funding to the township in exchange for services from the police department’s Juvenile Bureau and School Resource Officer Program. Cranford High School, Hillside Avenue School and Orange Avenue School now have designated offices to be used by the School Resource Officers and members of the Patrol Division on a daily basis.

According to Greco, the Police Department already has a healthy relationship with principals, faculty and students, but the substations have increased that bond.

“Our officers participate in classroom lessons, offer feedback on mandated school drills, and interact with teachers on a daily basis,” Greco said. “The consistent presence in schools afforded by these designated spaces foster communication and a healthy working relationship.”

The Cranford Public Schools’ in-house building, grounds and custodial personnel created these spaces swiftly since the idea first came forward in November of 2018. Additionally, The Home Depot of Garwood, led by Store Manager Gino Temporal, provided construction supplies, paint and carpeting to aid in the project’s successful completion. Laptop computers that may be used by officers to complete reports and follow-up investigations were supplied by donors.

“This is yet another fine example of the community coming together for the benefit of our children," Cranford Superintendent Scott Rubin said. "The District is very proud and appreciative of its strong partnership with the Cranford Police Department and thanks all involved in helping to make this important initiative a reality.”

The Cranford Police Department and Cranford Public Schools have had a shared services agreement since 2014.

Photo caption: From left, D/Sgt. Matthew R. Nazzaro, Gino Temporal of The Home Depot, Dr. Scott Rubin, Superintendent of Schools, Chief Ryan J. Greco, Chief of Police, Dr. Curt Fogas, School Safety Specialist and Hillside School Principal, Dr. Marc Edery, Principal of Orange Avenue School, and D/Lt. Edward Davenport.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your
local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.