Crime & Safety

Increased Police Security At Long Valley Schools After Texas Shooting

"Our priority is our children and ensuring their safety," police said.

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Washington Township Police Department will increase its presence at schools, officials announced, after a gunman killed at least 19 students and 2 adults at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday.

"The Washington Township Police Department will increase our presence at all of our schools and continue to maintain our vigilance as we always have. Our priority is our children and ensuring their safety, and being able to give them an environment where they can learn and just be kids without having to worry. That is why we train, why our School Resource Officers' primary focus is on school security, and why we continually work to be ready to protect our community from anyone wishing to do it harm," police said.

Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted Tuesday night that the measure comes despite "no credible threats" in New Jersey.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Nonetheless, troopers will increase patrols around schools in Garden State communities where the New Jersey State Police is the primary law enforcement agency, according to acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

"Our students, their families and caregivers, teachers, and school administrators should feel safe in school, and be assured that New Jersey's law enforcement agencies will do everything in their power to protect them," Platkin said in a statement.

Find out what's happening in Long Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Students and parents are encouraged to download the "RSVP-3 Morris County, NJ" app, to allow them to report potential acts of violence directly to Morris County Sheriff's Office, police said.


Thank you for reading! Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email vianella.burns@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter here.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.