Gunman Arrest Could Bring Changes To Westfield Schools

WESTFIELD, NJ - Last week a man armed with a handgun, hollow point bullets and more than 130 additional rounds of ammunition was arrested in the parking lot of a Westfield Elementary School. This week, changes are being called for.

Thomas J. Wilkie, 46, of Bear, Del. was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, and fourth-degree trespassing on school grounds, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Jennifer Davenport.

Wilkie was apprehended outside of Tamaques School where he was found with the gun and ammunition after classes had let out for the day.

In the immediate aftermath, a parent who volunteers at the school started an online petition for change.

Megan Brenan said she regularly volunteers at the school and the incident should serve as a wake-up call for Westfield residents as Wilkie was arrested when children were in the building at a time when the front door is typically unlocked. Her petition says that the school doors should remain locked at all times.

When Patch reached out to the district about the petition, a spokeswoman confirmed there would be changes.

"The school doors at Tamaques will remain locked at all times through the end of the school year as we review our security protocols going forward," she said.

Part of the security protocol review may include the input of Councilman Mark LoGrippo, who posted on social media that he will be working with the Board of Education to make sure there are increased security measures.

“If we have police officers presiding over our Town Council meetings, we can certainly afford to provide the necessary security for our children," LoGrippo told Patch. "I am going to work with the Town Council and the Board Of Education to make sure we have full time school resource officers and increased security such as cameras in all of Westfield’s public schools. Our children and their safety are my number one priority as a Councilman.”

What the increased security measures could look like is unclear. Some districts, like the School Districts of the Chathams, have on boarded the first of two planned Class III SLEO officers to patrol the district.

Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEOs) Class III are generally armed and are retired officers. In many instances, the SLEO III Officers would be funded through the Board of Education budget but would be members of the police departments.

Board of Education President Peggy Oster and Superintendent Margaret Dolan did not respond to requests for clarification or comment, but released a statement Monday saying that school administrators and law enforcement will meet this week with the district's security consulting firm, StoneGate Associates, to begin a comprehensive examination.

They also stressed in their writing that the incident took place after school when different security protocols are in place, which they noted are being addressed immediately.

"Doors at each of our 10 schools will remain locked beyond school hours through the end of
the school year, as we begin a formal review," they said.

Whatever they decide to implement, they will have no shortage of support as Police Chief Christopher Battiloro has committed to providing an ongoing police presence in and around Westfield schools all week to close out the school year, as well as enhanced security at the middle and high school graduations.

Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle also addressed the situation on social media, vowing to work the problem on her end as well.

"The collective sense of what could have been on Thursday is one that will not be easily forgotten.," she said. "Please know that as your Mayor, and more importantly as a parent of kids in the public schools, I remain firmly committed to working alongside the BOE to provide whatever resources they need to ensure the safety of our students."

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