By Chris Lundy, Jennifer Peacock and Kimberly Bosco

OCEAN COUNTY – Security has always been on the minds of school officials, and with every school shooting, the need for it is underscored more and more. A year after 17 people were killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, local superintendents say that there have been added security personnel and investments to make the buildings better defended.

A vestibule has been added to the main entrance to Central Regional Middle School as a waiting place to hold people before they are allowed in. (Photo by Chris Lundy)

Toms River

Superintendent David Healy said that there is about $5 million in security improvements that were included in the referendum that voters recently approved. This includes camera surveillance that is able to be accessed by police officers.

There will also be a security vestibule in every school, he said. Anyone who comes into the building will have to conduct business with a receptionist behind glass. Any packages would be left there. The only time an adult would be in the building would be for something scheduled, like a parent-teacher meeting.

At the end of last summer, the township expanded the number of Class III special officers from four to 19. This allowed them to have one armed officer in each of the town’s 14 public schools, one at the Donovan Catholic campus, and four substitutes. Since Donovan Catholic/Saint Joseph is a private school, they were paying the officer’s salary.

They were placed there not only for security, but to get to know the kids and be able to address any issues before they grow, Police Chief Mitch Little had said at the time.

Class IIIs are recently retired officers who have the training, but not the higher salary or benefits, allowing them to be a more affordable option.

Additionally, there are safety officers employed by the district, Healy said. “At any time, our buildings have at least one gun in it. Sometimes two. Sometimes three. It sounds harsh but it’s a reality,” he said. “Parents want to know ‘If someone comes in to hurt our kids, will there be someone there who can stop them with lethal force?’”

He complimented the officers on all their training, particularly the active shooter drills that were conducted.

The key is deterrence. “If someone wants to rob your house, they’re going to go to the house that doesn’t have two dogs,” he said.

Security Officer Gerald McDonald, or “Officer Gerry” to the kids, helps keep Switlik Elementary School safe. McDonald is part of a district security team that was expanded by six after the district’s successful security question last November. (Photo courtesy Jackson Schools)

Jackson Township

Six elementary, two middle and two high schools comprise the Jackson Township School District. Nearly 9,000 public school students are educated – and protected – in this 100.6-square-mile municipality.

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