Murphy Calls For Review Of School-Shooting Protocols In New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy praised students pushing for gun control measures and called for a review of school-shooting protocols in the state.
Murphy said Tuesday at a news conference his administration will review a mandate that schools prepare for active shootings with the goal of improving school safety after last week's fatal shooting in Florida.
Murphy spoke as a group of students who survived the fatal Florida school shooting began a 400-mile trip to the state capital to pressure lawmakers on gun control legislation. Similar student events are expected in New Jersey.
Murphy says "kids are showing us the way."
Murphy also reiterated promises to sign legislation vetoed by Republican Chris Christie, including a high-caliber ammunition ban, and to create a multi-state coalition against gun violence.
In Washington Township, school officials sent out a letter reminding parents of the safety plans already in place.
"I feel like the measures that we put in place absolutely upped the security of the school and the district," said a school spokesperson.
Two years ago, the district made all high school students wear ID badges before entering the building. All eleven schools are now secured with vestibules and inside, there are security cameras at each entrance and in the hallways. The footage is now live-streamed directly to the Washington Township Police Department.
Officials say there are also two security drills a month.
Sophomore Alexa Sanger participates in the school's active shooter drills every few months. She says they last about four minutes.
"You just go into the back corner and they just lock the doors and keep the lights off," she said.
The governor's new conference comes as an East Brunswick school district is adding armed police officers to its security plan.
The school board decided the officers will supplement its existing staff of 71 security guards, who are all retired police officers.
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