Several local police departments have announced a heightened presence at schools in light of the shooting the killed 19 children and two teachers Tuesday in Texas.
"The safety of our state's residents — including and especially our children — is my top priority," acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release sent out hours after the tragic events.
Platkin and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Callahan law enforcement officers from across the state "to ensure coordination in the aftermath of this tragedy," he said.
State Police and the 21 county prosecutors were told to immediately increase law enforcement presence at schools just hours after an 18-year-old opened fire on a fourth-grade class in Uvalde, Texas.
State Police will increase their presence at the schools where troopers are the primary law enforcement.
"The Atlantic City Police Department takes the safety and security of our students, teachers and administrators at every school in Atlantic City very seriously," the department wrote in a public post. "Rest assured our department will remain vigilant against any threats to our schools."
Somers Point police are among the departments increasing their presence.
"We always have officers daily walk the schools," Chief Robert Somers told BreakingAC.
They also are in the area for arrival and dismissal as well as monitoring the exterior and interior via cameras at the police station.
Galloway Township police will have uniformed patrol officers stopping into schools and walking through randomly throughout the day.
"Parents deserve to know that when they send their children off to school each day that their children will be cared for and protected," Chief Richard Barber wrote. "The Galloway Township Police Department has had a great partnership with our Galloway and Greater Egg Harbor Regional schools for a long time, and we will continue to partner with them to provide excellent service and security for your children."
Egg Harbor Township, Hammonton and Pleasantville also confirmed a higher police presence.
"We had an increased presence all day at the VECC and will do so the rest of this week," Ventnor Chief Joe Fussner told BreakingAC. "Also, we routinely have officers present during drop off in the (morning) and pick up in (the afternoon) every school day.
"We also conduct periodic walkthroughs of the school each school day," he added.
"We do not have to accept that we live in a country where children are shot just for going to school," Platkin said. "My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and we must all do everything we can to end the epidemic of gun violence."
