Intruder Incident Spurs New Middle School Policy

A Brick man entering in Point Borough early Friday morning prompted school officials to change policies regarding students coming to school early for breakfast.

John J. Kokinda Jr., 53, who lives at the Tip Top Cabins on Route 88, was charged with unlicensed entry of a structure, said Point Borough Police Captain Richard Larsen.

He entered the school through an unlocked door on the side of the building near the softball field before staff and students were there, said Schools Superintendent Vincent Smith.

He used the bathroom for about 70 minutes before a few students happened to discover him there, Larsen said. Students reported him to staff, a custodian escorted him out and police arrested him at Old Drift Road and Moore Avenue and ultimately released him on his own recognizance, Larsen said.

Larsen said he did not want to release Kokinda's full statement, but said that he had used the bathroom and was washing up "for a period of time."

"It doesn't seem like he was in there to prey on children," Larsen said. "It seems he just wanted to use the bathroom facilities."

Last Friday, Smith said in the past, some students were entering the middle school at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast. However, he said that the time doors are unlocked, how many doors are unlocked and other aspects of school security would be reviewed in light of the intruder entering the building.

When asked if staff members are in school as early as 6:30 a.m., Smith said he would ask that and other questions at a meeting on Tuesday with Middle School Principal Gary Floyd and other district officials.

Apparently, the school is no longer allowing students to begin to enter the building as early as 6:30 a.m. for breakfast. Automated, recorded phone calls were made to middle school parents on Tuesday evening announcing that any students arriving for breakfast before 7 a.m. will not be allowed in the school.

For students not eating breakfast at school, the main, front door of the school has traditionally opened at 7:20 a.m. and the bell for homeroom rings at 7:30 a.m.

The message in the automated phone is also posted on the middle school website as follows:

"Memorial Middle School breakfast hours are from 7:00-7:30 a.m. daily. Students arriving for breakfast prior to 7:20 a.m. must enter the school at the Oak Street entrance, located at the back of the school.

Parents who wish to drop off their children for breakfast must do so at the library. Parents CANNOT use the Bus Loop in the back of the school when dropping off or picking up students."