$6.5M For NJ Schools To Digitize Blueprints To Improve Police Response

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy announced a $6.5 million school security initiative to map out and digitize school building blueprints.

Nearly half of New Jersey’s 3,000 schools already have access to Collaborative Response Graphics, or digital maps used to aid first responders in emergency situations. Through the new funding, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) will be able to map the remaining 1,500 schools.

“With the epidemic of gun violence reaching every part of our communities, including our schools, we offer our families not empty promises, but concrete investments in tools and resources that will keep our students safe,” Murphy said in a statement.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and the educators who help our children achieve their full potential. In order to protect our children and educators, we must equip our first responders with the most up-to-date 21st-century technology so that they can respond to emergencies without unnecessary delay.”

“This new school security investment will ensure that law enforcement has immediately accessible digital blueprints of every school building in the state, God forbid there is an active shooter situation or other attack. This technology will help law enforcement act quickly and decisively,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “And this new investment was made possible by the federal American Rescue Plan that Congress passed last year. It’s hard to think of a better use of these federal resources than to ensure we’re protecting our schools, educators, and children by giving our law enforcement the resources they need to keep them safe.”

The $6.5 million will be used from American Rescue Plan funds to contract with an outside vendor to assist with mapping, Murphy added. Once data for every school building in the state is collected, local police will conduct yearly walkthroughs of each building to ensure the mapping data is accurate and up to date.

"The New Jersey State Police has more than 100 schools in State Police patrolled areas where we have a consistent uniformed presence to ensure the safety of students and staff,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

"Ensuring that our children and school personnel are safe will always be an important part of our ongoing mission, and this new initiative will undoubtedly assist law enforcement during emergent times by affording first responders the resources to work quickly and more efficiently."

New Jersey public schools are set to begin the new school year on Thursday, Sept. 8.