Windham Police Increase Presence at Schools in Wake of CT Tragedy

As students get out of school today in Windham, parents and teachers can expect an increased presence of police officers as a response to the tragic shooting incident in Connecticut, according to Chief Gerald Lewis.

"I can tell you that we've directed our patrol people to provide stepped up patrols around the schools, to be present for the release of children today," he said.

Lewis said that he also visited each principal personally to reassure them that the Windham Police will be more visible today.

"In our effort to ensure parents and staffs and relatives and the kids themselves that we are present, we're making any effort to ensure their safety in and around the schools," Lewis said.

A report from Newtown Patch indicates that a gunman killed 27 people this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. 18 of them were reportedly young children. The shooter, who is now reportedly dead, is believed to be from New Jersey.

Lewis, who has ties having worked in Connecticut for many years before coming to Windham, said that he hasn't spoken to any former colleagues down in the area, but he would venture a guess that he probably knows one or two of the responding officers.

"Regardless of whether I know anybody or not, both as a law enforcement professional that's been in this business for many years and as a parent myself, it makes you sick to your stomach," he said.