Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Mayor: Town Working On School Security



This Press Release was issued by the Mayor today:

The tragic events of December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School have motivated all of us to take a second look at how we manage our school campus security.  To that end, our Community, School and Police agencies continue to review, upgrade, enhance and strengthen our policies, plans and infrastructure to meet today’s needs.  In addition, we have decided to hire an outside agency specializing in security to conduct a school vulnerability assessment of each campus.  Through this process our schools can continue the actions necessary to prevent, mitigate and lessen potential risks with continued development of customized school emergency management plans.  We appreciate your suggestions and your cooperation as we work collaboratively within our Community to keep our schools as safe as possible for our children.

Chief of Police Shawn Boyne was tasked by the Mayor to make recommendations for school security enhancements and he updated the Town Council last night in a warned executive session.  On her Editor's behalf, News-Times reporter Sue Tuz voiced an objection to the report being made in executive session even though Town Attorney Randy DiBella opined that the executive session was appropriate.

Section 1-200(6)(C) of the Connecticut General Statutes allows an agency to hold an executive session to discuss, among other topics, "matters concerning security strategy or the deployment of security personnel, or devices affecting public security."  I I think this could not be any clearer.  In addition, I think common sense dictates that the details of the Chief's plans should not be publicly aired; there's no sense in educating a would-be miscreant. 
  

1 comment:

Pat said...

What would be the use of planning security then publishing it in your local paper ? The Mayor and Town Council did the right thing.
The children and our teaching staff deserve to have secure buildings.
I am happy to hear that measures are being taken .