West New York, Secaucus place armed police officers in public schools after Florida school shooting

WEST NEW YORK/SECAUCUS – Two weeks after a gunman opened fire at a Florida school, killing 17 people, both West New York and Secaucus have placed armed police officers in all their pubic schools.
West New York’s School Security initiative places armed police officers inside all the town’s public schools, according to a town press release issued Feb. 26.
“With recent school shootings and violent incidents, I felt it was a top priority to safeguard not only our children, but our teachers, staff, and parents,” West New York Mayor Felix Roque said in the release. “We simply cannot leave our schools without protection; we had to get ahead of any possible incidents…our hope is that we become a model for other cities throughout New Jersey.”
The Secaucus mayor and Town Council placed the officers in their schools after a meeting with the Secaucus Board of Education last week, according to a town press release.
“The town has agreed to provide an increased police presence in all schools pending further evaluation of security plans,” the release says.
“The safety and security of our students is a paramount concern for my administration, the school boardm and our police department,” Secaucus Mayor MichaeI Gonnelli said in the release. “I will continue to work with Jennifer Montesano, our superintendent of schools, to ensure the safety and security of our school systems. There is no higher priority to me than the safety of our children.”
The officers will remain in the schools, as the Secaucus Board of Ed evaluates what it wishes to do with school security going forward, according to Town Administrator Gary Jeffas.