Police Review Saddle Brook School Security

The Bergen County School Security Task Force recently returned to Saddle Brook High School to complete their assessment of the school's security, according to Deputy Police Chief Robert White.

White and Task Force Coordinator Sgt. William Stallone of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office conducted their initial review of the school in July, but wanted to return once school was in session to evaluate their security measures and identify any vulnerabilities.

"Revisiting the school when it’s in session can reveal additional safety, security and emergency concerns that are not detected when the school is vacant," White said. "While many people are focused on physical features of schools, numerous tragedies have shown that the effectiveness of school security, safety and emergency preparedness measures are heavily influences by what staff and students do during the school day."

Concerns over school security grew after a shooter killed 27, including himself, at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. last year. Saddle Brook school officials stepped up their security measures following that incident, tightening their visitation policies and creating a new School Land Safety committee. 

Stallone and White will next visit the district's other schools to complete a Security Assessment Report by the end of October.