Police Presence Increased at Paramus Schools

Paramus Police officers are now visiting public school buildings during the day as part of their patrol, a measure to enhance security.

Starting this week officers assigned to a particular school will either park their vehicle on the grounds, stop in at the front desk and interact with staff and students periodically when they are not busy responding to emergency calls, services or other police duties, explained Chief Christopher Brock.

This is an immediate solution for providing some police presence at the schools, the chief explained.

Due to limited manpower as the department is currently down 28 officers, the chief said unfortunately he can not dedicate one officer to stay on site all day at each of the district's 8 schools. Having assigned officers  check in with their respective schools during the day is the best option based on the current staffing, he explained.

Since the Sandy Hook tragedy of Newtown, Conn. the district and the police department have been working closely together looking for ways to improve security and ensure safety for students and staff, explained Superintendent of Schools Ken Rota.

Rota told parents to not be alarmed if they see police at the schools. The goal of this initiative is to make the police officers part of the fabric and culture of the school, says the superintendent.

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