Read Howell Chief's Emotional Remarks On Florida School Shooting

HOWELL, NJ -- As shock continues to ripple across the country in the wake of the killing of 17 people at a Florida high school on Wednesday, Howell Township Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. posted an emotional statement on Facebook, telling parents and the community that steps will be taken to try to prevent a similar occurrence in Howell.

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, injured at least 14 other people who were hospitalized late Wednesday night, according to a Patch report. The shooting happened after a fire alarm was pulled, prompting students and staff at the school to evacuate. The accused gunman is a former student at the school.

Kudrick, whose child attends Howell schools, said the reports from Florida were horrific.

"Not only as the police chief, but as a parent, my heart hurts," Kudrick wrote. "Sadly though, we see this too often."

He said the Florida shooting prompted conversations between the Howell police department and school district officials looking at what more they can do to protect students and staff at school.

Indeed, a number of districts across the state – such as Springfield, Central Regional in Bayville, Ridgewood, Lacey and Wayne –followed suit and either beefed up security at their schools or sought to reassure the public following the Florida tragedy.

"Beginning tomorrow, you will notice an increased police presence around all of our district schools. Other measures will be taken that will not be disclosed," he wrote. "I can speak on their behalf with the utmost confidence, and all of you can be reassured, we constantly are reviewing and implementing security measures to prevent such a tragedy."

He urged the community to be an active part of the prevention effort.

"In most (mass shooting) cases, there were warning signs," Kudrick wrote. "We all have that 'sixth sense.' If you see something, say something!!! Don’t be that person after the fact that realizes you could have prevented people from dying."

"This is the reality we live in. Instead of having that 'it won’t happen here' mindset, start thinking 'it can happen here!' Don’t be ignorant!" he wrote.

"Hug your kids tonight. Others will not be able to do so," he wrote.

Read the entire statement below.

Good evening,

I’m sure most of you are already aware of the horrific event that occurred today at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Not only as the police chief, but as a parent, my heart hurts. Sadly though, we see this too often. I can absolutely state, with the utmost certainty, the relationship and partnership between our police department and both school districts is one that is highly committed to protecting our children and staff. We have security measures in place that include uniformed presence inside our schools, visible patrols both stationary and random, regular drills, direct radio contact with school administration and central police communication, both technical and tactical equipment and advanced weapons assigned to our officers, and frequent contact between Howell Schools Superintendent (Joseph) Isola, Howell BOE President (Timothy) O'Brien, Howell High School Principal (Jeremy) Braverman and my staff.

Tonight, we were all in contact with one another. Beginning tomorrow, you will notice an increased police presence around all of our district schools. Other measures will be taken that will not be disclosed. All of us will be meeting to debrief this latest incident. I can speak on their behalf with the utmost confidence, and all of you can be reassured, we constantly are reviewing and implementing security measures to prevent such a tragedy.

However, we cannot do it by ourselves. This must be a collaborative effort amongst all of us. In most cases, there were warning signs. Social media seems to be the most apparent. Please, talk to your children. We all have that “sixth sense.” If you see something, say something!!! Don’t be that person after the fact that realizes you could have prevented people from dying. This is the reality we live in. Instead of having that “it won’t happen here” mindset, start thinking “it can happen here!” Don’t be ignorant!

I consider all of you to be part of my family. Hug your kids tonight. Others will not be able to do so.

Feel free to contact me directly at akudrick@howellpolice.org.

Love to all of you.
Chief Kudrick

Photo provided by Howell Township Police Department