East Brunswick to have armed police officers in schools

EAST BRUNSWICK - A day after 17 people were killed at a Florida high school, the East Brunswick Board of Education voted to have armed police officers at all district schools throughout the entire school day to ensure safety of students and staff.

And Friday, the morning after a resolution for the armed police officers was unanimously approved, a district high school student was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat in an online post, according to a message Superintendent of Schools Victor Valeski posted on the district website.

"This online posting was brought to the attention of district staff by a parent and student at the beginning of the school day. The offending student was immediately identified and escorted to the main office by a district security officer," Valeski said in the message.

The superintendent said East Brunswick police questioned the student and then took him into custody and will be charging him with making a terroristic threat.

"The Board of Education and superintendent thank the parent and student for reporting this very serious matter and also wish to thank the district’s security officers and the East Brunswick police officers for their swift action to ensure the safety of our students and staff," Valeski said in the message.

"It is imperative that whenever anyone learns of a potential safety threat that they immediately notify the district and the East Brunswick Police Department. As a community, we all have to remain vigilant and work together to ensure the safety of our students and staff."

The East Brunswick student was arrested the day after a 14-year-old Franklin High School student was arrested allegedly for a similar offense and suspended from school.

According to Valeski, armed officers in the schools will supplement the district's existing staff of 71 security officers — all of whom are retired police officers — to enhance security at all East Brunswick Board of Education facilities throughout the school year.

"It is the Board of Education and superintendent’s commitment to take all necessary measures to insure that our students, staff and visitors remain safe and secure in our schools," the message said.

"The Board of Education and the superintendent wish to thank East Brunswick Township and the East Brunswick Police Department for its willingness to work collaboratively with the district to provide armed police officers throughout the school year to enhance school security."

READ: Student charged in Franklin school threat

READ: Florida school shooting: Fund created for Alyssa Alhadeff's family

East Brunswick appears to be the first district in Central Jersey to publicly announce the use of armed police officers in all schools all day following the Parkland, Florida, school shooting.

Valeski's message was posted on an East Brunswick Facebook group page. Several people commented it was a sad but needed development.

Another resident said he supported the measure and any extra tax costs that come with it because armed trained professionals are the key to deterrence at schools.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com