Police Department Expands Presence in Schools
Gloucester Township Police Chief W. Harry Earle announces significant changes for township schools' security.
Gloucester Township Police Chief W. Harry Earle announced this afternoon his department has implemented a plan to bring a significantly increased police presence to the township's 11 kindergarten through eighth-grade (K-8) schools.
There will not be one armed officer in each of Gloucester Township Public Schools' 11 school buildings at all times under the plan, but Earle notes in a statement police will have "a significantly increased uniform presence at all of our elementary schools. These officers will be patrolling our schools' hallways, parking areas, highways adjacent to our schools, answering police calls for service at our schools, building mutual respect between the school staff and most importantly establishing a rapport with the students."
The Police Department's Juvenile Unit has been expanded from four officers to eight, including a sergeant who will serve as unit commander and direct all school- and juvenile-related activities for the Police Department, in order to implement the school security improvements, Earle said.
Earle's complete statement is below:
The Gloucester Township Police Department has consistently engaged in a policing philosophy focused on community policing, building partnerships, and developing programs and initiatives aimed at addressing crime and reducing violence. As the one month anniversary of the Sandy Hook School massacre passes, we have taken the opportunity to continue in our efforts of implementing and developing community partnerships and programs especially those dealing with youth and school safety.
Earlier this month, Mayor (David) Mayer and Gloucester Township Council authorized the expansion of our Police Department's Juvenile Unit. This unit, which in the past consisted of four officers, is tasked with patrolling our high schools, investigating juvenile related crime, referring juvenile victims and juveniles in crisis to the appropriate services, and managing our anti-violence programs including Project BATLE, GT Focus, The Gathering Space, the upcoming program GT MARRS, and even more. A brief description of these programs can be viewed on the Township website. The Juvenile Unit has now been greatly expanded to include a total of eight positions all of which will be staffed by police officers. Additionally, the unit will now be commanded by a Sergeant whose duty will be to manage all police operations involving youth and our schools throughout our entire community. These operational modifications will greatly assist in investigating youth suspected of criminal activity, managing our anti-violence programs, and establishing a direct community partnership with our schools including the school staff and students.
Our new and expanded Juvenile Unit has resulted in the Gloucester Township Police Department having a significantly increased uniform presence at all of our elementary schools. These officers will be patrolling our schools' hallways, parking areas, (and) highways adjacent to our schools, answering police calls for service at our schools, building mutual respect between the school staff, and most importantly establishing a rapport with the students. Having uniformed Gloucester Township Police Officers in our schools has been commonplace for decades. We have had uniformed officers in our elementary schools and our high schools every day as part of our pre-existing High School Resource Officer (SRO) Program, our K-6 Society Improvement Program (entitled “SIP,” which is a Safety and Community Education Youth Training Program), or our D.A.R.E. Program. Our high school SRO program has existed since 1999, our SIP Program since the 1970s, and D.A.R.E. since 1990. The benefit of having children see uniformed Gloucester Township Police Officers in their schools is nothing new at all; however, as a result of our Juvenile Unit expansion, parents, students, and staff will be seeing even more uniformed Gloucester Township Police Officers and marked police units at their schools. The expansion of our Juvenile Unit from four officers to seven officers with a Unit Supervisor (Sergeant) demonstrates our commitment in assisting our schools in providing a safe environment for our children.
The additional positions associated with the expanded Juvenile Unit are in addition to the expansion of our D.A.R.E. Program to seventh grade last year which commits two full-time officers in our schools on a daily basis during the entire school year.
The Gloucester Township Police Department understands well that having fully trained and equipped police officers responding to school-related calls for service and as well patrolling our schools is of great importance. We also understand that as a community it is imperative that we understand that youth are in need of social services, and criminal justice services. Additionally, it is of great importance that those that may be at risk of being victimized or even violating the law are identified whenever possible and offered the appropriate prevention services.
The expansion of our Juvenile Unit and our ongoing partnership with our schools will ensure that we effectively and efficiently patrol our schools and just as importantly reinforce and continue to implement programs that aim to prevent violence. As we move throughout the year 2013, Gloucester Township will be opening a facility entitled the Gloucester Township Police Community and Youth Meeting Center where services will be offered for families and youth. In consideration of the violence that has plagued the nation, it is imperative that we do whatever is necessary to identify potential violence and work with our schools in providing services whenever possible.
As the issue of gun and youth violence continues to be discussed around the nation, there is no doubt that the Gloucester Township Police Department will continue to collaborate with our township officials and schools to assist in making our schools safe and to ensure that the parents of our community children feel safe.
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Schu
3:28 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thank you NRA for the idea to have more armed security in our schools.
Pete Heinbaugh
3:31 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Looks like a solid, workable plan.
Emotionally, in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, the temptation could be to overreact and go overboard.
Thank you staying reasonable.
GT Mom
5:44 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I walked into Union Valley two days ago. I was buzzed in. No one asked who I was or why I was there. I signed out my son...no one asked me for ID. As I stood in the hallway waiting for him...I watched other parents just letting people in...holding the door open for them. While they were just being nice..that shouldn't be happening. I then could have went any where in the building...as no one was present to stop me. Considering it has only been a month since Sandy Hook...and only a day since the kidnapping of the girl in Philadelphia...I was amazed at the lack of security I witnessed.
Schu
6:52 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
That's Gloucester township, always doing the right thing.
Paul J. DiBartolo
8:53 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Interestingly, a friend told me the same thing happened to him over at the Mullen Middle School a week ago. Yeah, it sounds like the security around the township is as tight as...well, I'm not exactly sure how to end that.
Susan Greene
9:50 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Interesting comment GT Mom,
At what point did you march into the office and demand a explanation of this breech of security? Was it when you signed your son out or after you STOOD there watching parents letting people in the very school YOUR child attends?
Considering it has only been a month since Sandy Hook it was obviously still fresh enough on your mind NOT to be proactive and raise hell as you witnessed this.
I am AMAZED at YOUR lack of common sense and human decency to do what ever you could at that very moment of the breech to ensure the safety of the children.
If you see it, report it immediately, not two days later on Patch..
GT Mom
3:51 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Susan Greene....ACTUALLY I did raise hell...but in a professional, composed manner so that my concerns were addresses instead of dismissed. As an educator (in another district) I recognize how important school safety is. I went through the appropriate avenues and am happy to say that things were different today when I picked my son up.
Darren Gladden
4:44 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Relax GTMOM the arrogance of people like Susan Green to judge people all the time is the problem but let them Judge and have there say people died for there RIGHT to stick there nose up at people and try to tell us HOW we are bad people . Well there time in power I HOPE IS COMING TO AN END REAL SOON ........Just care , I do ....P.S. don't be scare to use your Real name I got your back
Gina
12:53 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Think this is Great!!! Boy what a different world we are living in.
leonard picks
8:44 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
This is a police town. Overpaid cops clocking six figure plus overtime. Time for a state audit on Gloucester Township Mayor and entire township.
Paul J. DiBartolo
8:57 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I think it's time to form a citizens' task force and see what the good people of Gloucester Township have to say and what kind of response we can formulate. GT leadership, are you listening?
Susan Greene
10:13 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Would this so called citizen task force be made up of all YOUR IMAGINARY FRIENDS and your YOUR negative scenarios you post about?
You always HAVE A FRIEND that SOMETHING NEGATIVE happened to.
Honestly Paul your negativity and scenarios are getting old and killing any credibility you have left in this Township.
But, pleassseee don't stop, keep throwing yourself under the bus, your a celebrity.
After all, no one is as smart as you or has all the answers like you do, so why do we need a task force when we could just ask you and you can ask one of your imaginary friends, hard to prove a imagination huh Paul...
Paul J. DiBartolo
10:20 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
And you, Susan Greene (wink-wink), are a celebrity who is a legend in your own mind. Post under a real name with a picture if you want to engage me in real conversation. Don't be such a wimp.
JonT
10:17 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
This added police presence in the schools is costing the township hundreds of thousands of dollars so if you like the idea, don't complain when your taxes go up.
There is NOTHING that can stop someone with an automatic weapon from entering a school building. An armed police officer would not have stopped Sandy Hook from happening. There were armed officers in Columbine.
An eye for an eye makes everyone blind. Taking guns away is the only answer.
Paul J. DiBartolo
10:31 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Yes, I'm sure when they had the gun turn-in in Camden a couple of weeks ago all the criminals turned in their guns so now all that's left is for all law abiding citizens to turn in their legal guns. Yea, that's the ticket.
EaglesFan856
10:24 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Seems like most of you rather support the criminals rather have then the Townships Police Department. Obviously the police department is showing effort. If they did not do any type of action the complainers would still complain.
Deborah Brighton
8:35 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
It's a shame they put a price on our kids....who cares how much it cost...Safety First
Paul J. DiBartolo
9:23 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
I love these kinds of comments..."who cares how much it costs"
Let's say it costs half of your weekly paycheck after taxes...how about two-thirds? You lose credibility when you make statements like that. Of course it matters how much it costs...regardless of what we talk about there is always a cost that has to be considered; to suggest that cost does not matter is ridiculous. I've stated elsewhere that we can greatly reduce our auto deaths (that, BTW, greatly outnumber gun deaths) by reducing all speed limits to 5 MPH...who's up for that?
Debbie Joslin
2:15 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
I feel that turning your gun in and being paid money only allows them to go buy another gun. Maybe bigger or better from what they had before. I feel all applications for guns need to be like buying a house. It should take months before anyone should be allowed to buy a gun. There should be finger prints associated with buying a gun (I don't own a gun so I'm not sure if they do that already) and also, sitting down with an official FBI agent or detective as we do when signing our mtg. Just to easy to buy guns. More time spent on the person buying the gun, because that's where the problem lies. Too many guns given to the wrong people. Not saying they won't give to some one else but I'm sure they would think twice about it with their prints and background check etc. I'm mean a thorough check, family members have criminal records etc. etc. I agree, having police presence in schools most likely will not stop someone from killing anyone. I also agree that ALL schools need to have tighten check points within the office and halls. I know I have been to Stratford High and when I wanted to talk to a teacher you had to be buzzed in. Then you are stopped in a foyer areas (not in the school halls) and there is seating and a woman behind glass asking the nature of your business. asked for ID and told me to have a seat that the teacher would be right out. I was not allowed in the school. Money should be spent on adding a foyer so no one is allowed in the school.....
joey
11:46 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Mayor Dave Mayer is just another Frank Hague
http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/2410050/article-Hudson-County-s-culture-of-corruption-Its-local-roots-and-prospects-for-change
Gloucester Township is a repeat of the past back when Frank Hague controlled the City. Mayer is controlling the Township, Local Elected Officials, Police Departments, Fire departments, MUA's, Workers in the Municipality, Media, Election Boards, School Boards, Local Courts, Judges, Contracts, you name it.
Gloucester Township is Corrupt and spends spends spends taxpayer dollars and these idiots keep the wrong going. No backbone no remorse, just arrogance to a level of ignorance and Fear of one man who has no power.
Joe
7:57 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Picked up my daughter at TC the other day and was challenged at the door then buzzed in. Hall monitors outside the office saw that I was picking up my daughter who was waiting in the office. Understanding the students here are not little kids I think the proceedure was appropriate.
Michelle Wolfson
10:49 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Here is my two cents, for what it is worth:
I have to disagree that simply "taking guns away" is the only answer. And what does that even mean? Taking them away how? And from whom?
It is probably true that even the presence an armed police officer in the building may not prevent some psycho with a semi-automatic weapon from shooting up a school, but is it not perhaps a deterrent at least?
There has GOT to be some non-political, no BS, bi-partisan, middle ground here, or ALL of our kids will pay the price.
What it is, I wish I knew!
Michelle Wolfson
10:53 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
At my kids school(s) there is a door buzzer. They know me very well at one school and so I no longer have to present ID after 5 years and 3 children there, but I do se them regularly ask people who they do not know. At the other, where this is our first year and they do not really know me at all, I have never been asked for ID when picking up my child.
I think there needs to be a good, across the board security policy for the schools and it needs to be enforced diligently.
I know the doors are all locked and the office staff watch the cameras of all of the school grounds, but I still don't see this stopping someone who really wanted to enter the building and do some harm.
Charles
2:56 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
I sometimes pick up my grandchild at Highland. It is easy to be buzzed in by the person at the reception desk; however, s/he asks for ID and purpose before I get any further into the school. Yes, if I were armed and out to do harm, s/he would have to be my first target. Where's the back-up plan?
Joe
3:32 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
Good point. They couldn't stop you if you were a bad guy.
Debbie Joslin
2:28 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
Being buzzed in and asking for idea is a great start. The way Stratford was set up, you would have to some how break in the automatic doors and shoot the glass out. Of course the person sitting in the offices and the greeter would probably not survive or be injured but there would be more time to send help and maybe not as many lives would be taken. On the other hand, if the front door is not as easy and inviting to a crazy person who wants to shot the school down, they will just walk outside the school grounds and start shooting from the outside and jump through windows to get inside. I don't believe we will ever stop it from happening but if we can delay it to get back-up there quicker it's a start. My theory is stronger background checks on those who purchase guns. If anyone withing the family has medical issues or mental issues or criminal records they should not be allowed to purchase a gun - Bottom line. Sorry, find another way to protect yourself. I know everyone is going to have their own opinions and we are not all going to agree with each other but we have 1 thing in common and that is to protect ourselves and our children. On another subject though, we talk about children being bullied in schools, reading some of these comments and just observing adults within sporting events etc. I feel, at times, that adults can be the biggest bullies. It's not always our children being bullied or doing the bullying. Do you agree?
Charles
11:38 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Armed security is provided for our money, our travel, our politicians, but NOT for our children. Do we have our priorities straight?
A secure foyer area supported by armed security people at the desk would give any perp' pause and also give time for an alarm to be sent to the police for immediate response. Every one of our GT officers would drop everything and respond to such an alarm! While some of you have negative opinions of the top officials, we have a fine group of dedicated officers on the street who need and deserve our fullest support.