Princeton Schools Enhance Security Protocols

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Public School District plans to change the district's safety and security protocols in the wake of the Florida shooting and after a former student’s presence on school grounds lead to a shelter-in-place situation earlier this month.

“I want to assure you that here in Princeton, we continue to make students’ safety our top priority,” Princeton Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Cochrane wrote in a message posted online. “In January, we worked with the Princeton Police Department to conduct security audits at all of our buildings.”

Then, on Feb. 6, a former student known to the school entered the building unannounced at the start of the school day. A student who didn’t know him reported his presence to the office, which then contacted police and went into a shelter-in-place. There was no danger to the students in that situation, which was resolved peacefully.

Following that audit and the incident, the district announced the following changes:

• All doors at Princeton High School will be locked during arrival times, as well as during the school day.
• Students will only be able to enter the school through the tower entrance or the entrance by the Performing Arts Center.
• Security personnel will be in place monitoring both entrances to ensure that no one enters who shouldn’t be in the building.
• Parents and other visitors will only be allowed to enter through the tower entrance where they will need to sign in.

“We have already implemented several other security changes throughout our district based on the security audits we undertook in January,” Cochrane said. “During the school day, the doors to all of our buildings are locked. At our elementary schools and at John Witherspoon Middle School, students are only able to arrive and leave through their school’s main entrance, which is monitored by staff. We have also made additional recommendations for all of our buildings, from enhanced PA systems to additional security cameras to modifications of our internal procedures.”

He said security is also an important part of the district’s proposed facilities referendum, which will include new entryways to all six of the district’s buildings that will be warm, welcoming, and secure.

“We appreciate your understanding and support as we implement these new procedures designed to improve the safety for our students and our staff,” Cochrane said. “Moreover, we join with communities all over America in grieving the loss of the students in Florida and in renewing a common commitment to make our schools physically and emotionally safe for all children to learn.”

East Brunswick schools recently announced they would be adding armed police officers to its security protocol. Read more here: East Brunswick Schools To Add Armed Cops To Security Protocols

See related: At Least 5 NJ School Threats Investigated In Last 72 Hours

Patch file photo