Murphy Signs 'Alyssa's Law,' Named After Murdered Ex-Bergen Girl

Governor Phil Murphy signed "Alyssa's Law" Wednesday named after a former Bergen County girl who was one of 17 people murdered in the Florida shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018.

The law requires silent panic alarms be installed in all New Jersey public schools. The alarms will alert law enforcement during emergencies, including active shooter situations like the one that killed Alyssa Alhadeff, an ex-Woodcliff Lake resident, or to employ another emergency mechanism approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.

"Alyssa’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the need for adequate school security measures," Murphy said in a statement. "In New Jersey, we will do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies from occurring within our borders."

Alhadeff's parents said they were "honored" that elected officials fought to make schools safer on behalf of their daughter. They were at the ceremony Wednesday when Murphy signed the bill into law. (See related: 17 Florida School Shooting Victims Identified)

"Our hearts are overwhelmed to know our daughter's death is making national changes for school safety and hopefully other states will follow suit," Ilan and Lori Alhadeff said in a statement. "It is with great pleasure to join Governor Murphy to witness this bill signing, and we know that Alyssa is watching from above."

Alhadeff, 14, was praised by those who knew her, including her soccer coach of three years in Florida, Laurie Thomas. (See related: Ex-NJ Teen Alyssa Alhadeff 'Gave Her Best' In Everything She Did)

"We are extremely grateful and privileged those of us who knew Alyssa. She contributed and gave much to the emotional life of so many us. Alyssa was kind, loving and caring. We need to be kinder and loving and caring. Alyssa enriched the lives of the people she was around, we must enrich the lives of the people we come around," Thomas said of the three-time team captain.

"She was the heartbeat of the team, the one who pushed us to reach our best, she was a superstar but too humble to know it. She loved her teammates, she stood up for them; she was loyal to the team and protected them because they'd do the same for her."

Steve Goldman, a family friend who knew the Alhadeffs when they lived in Bergen County, said he was "proud" to have been a part of their lives. (See related: Florida Shooting Victim, 14, Lived In NJ, 'Loved, Well-Respected')

Lori Alhadeff called out President Donald Trump just after the shooting demanding "action" on guns.

"A gunman, a crazy person, just walks right into the school, knocks down the window of my child's door and starts shooting her! And killing her!" she said as she held a microphone. "President Trump, please do something! Do something! Action! We need it now! These kids need safety now."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Alyssa Alhadeff/Courtesy of Parkland Travel Soccer Team, used with permission