Armed Police Officers Added To Secaucus Schools

SECAUCUS, NJ — The town of Secaucus made the decision to add armed police officers to patrol the town's five public schools, Mayor Michael Gonnelli announced Friday afternoon.

Full-time, uniformed Secaucus police officers started Friday morning at the high school and middle school, Huber Street elementary, Clarendon elementary and Millridge school. One officer will be in place at each school. The decision was made Thursday evening in a meeting with the town Board of Education, the Secaucus police chief and the schools superintendent, Jennifer Montesano.

There was previously an existing security guard at the high school, but he was not armed. After the Valentine's Day massacre in Florida, Gonnelli said he felt the need to protect the town. They will be in place indefinitely.

"It's very sad in this day and age that our kids have to see police officers with guns in their school, but we need to do this to keep them safe," said Gonnelli.

The uniformed officers will patrol the hallways and maintain a presence near the main doors. They are being paid overtime, at a cost of about $500-$900 per officer per day, which Gonnelli said is very expensive for the town. Secaucus is exploring a possible permanent solution to allow the school security guards to carry guns.