Added Police Presence At Howell Schools

HOWELL, N.J.—There will be an increased police presence at all township schools during arrival and dismissal the next few days, the Howell Police Department said today. Officers will be maintaining high visibility throughout the day.

The action follows state Office of the Attorney General's guidance to increase law enforcement presence at schools throughout the state, effective immediately following the deadly shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey has already contacted the leaders of every law enforcement agency in the county requesting the increased police presence. It is anticipated to continue not only throughout the remainder of the current school week, but during weeks to follow as well, according to the Monmouth County prosecutor's office.

Howell police urged residents to call police immediately "if you see anything that doesn’t look right. We’d rather find out it was nothing than having to pick up the pieces of a preventable incident," the police said in a Facebook post.

"Finally, take a moment to hug your children and loved ones, and be thankful you can still do that, unlike those parents in Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time," the police said.