Schools

Police Presence Increased at Eastchester Schools

Eastchester Police have increased their patrolling of the schools since Monday.

Eastchester Schools have an increased police presence in the wake of the shootings in Newtown. Police plan on continuing their increased patrols until the holiday break begins.

Other than the additional patrols, it's business as usual in the school district. The district has had school security plans in effect for many years, according to Eastchester Public Relations Coordinator Mary Ellen Byrne. Byrne says that when a tragedy like Newtown does occur, questions do come up.

"There's mandated state law about safe schools," said Byrne. "There's a lot of information that's there. Since 2001, schools have been in compliance with the Safe Schools Act."

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Back in 2000, the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (SAVE) was signed by Governor George Pataki. The law was passed in response to issues of school safety and violence prevention.

"What happens in light of a tragedy, such as what happened on Friday, is questions do come up. And many things have been in place. So what you do is look to see that all of your security and safety measures are in place and at the level that you want them to be at," said Byrne.

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Byrne says that each Eastchester School only has a single point of entry and locked doors throughout. The district also has periodic lockdown drills.

"No district wants to reveal everything about their security measures," said Byrne. "That would not be wise. You don't want to give too much information out."


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