Bergen County Gets State Money For Silent Alarms In Schools

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Five school districts in Bergen County will receive state money designated for upgrading school security systems, as required by a law passed in memory of a New Jersey native killed in a school shooting.

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation Wednesday approving $5.1 million from the Securing Our Children's Future Bond Act for school security projects across New Jersey. Districts across the state will receive funding for silent panic alarms in schools as required by Alyssa's Law, and other security upgrades.

The alarms will alert law enforcement during emergencies, including active shooter situations like the one that killed Alyssa Alhadeff, an ex-Woodcliff Lake resident, or to employ another emergency mechanism approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Alhadeff was one of the 17 victims of the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

“The safety and well-being of students and educators across our state is one of our top priorities. By investing in school security, we are also investing in healthy and safe learning environments,” said Governor Murphy in a news release. “This funding will help many schools make necessary security enhancements to their facilities.”

The following Bergen County schools will receive grant funding.

• Bergen County Special Service, $33,785
• Carlstadt-East Rutherford, $31,890
• Elmwood Park, $144,169
• Park Ridge Boro, $66,603
• Teaneck Township, $195,484