Ridgefield Schools Tighten Security After Newtown Tragedy

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. – Ridgefield has joined other towns around the state in strengthening school security following Friday's shooting in Newtown.

A police cruiser will be stationed outside all of Ridgefield's nine public schools for the week of Dec. 17 to 21.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

by Alissa Smith

12/17/2012 3:00 p.m.

A police officer will be stationed at all nine Ridgefield public schools at least through Monday, Superintendent Deborah Low said. This security measure was in place during the lock down Monday morning after a man was seen carrying what looked like a long gun in the area of Branchville Elementary School.

In a letter, Low outlined the security measures that the schools would have in place this week and through the rest of the year.

This week and continuing for the rest of the school year we will station a security guard at the front door of each of the elementary schools and SRMS.
Because the security guards will not be available until Tuesday, Dec. 18, on Monday, Dec. 17, there will be a uniformed Ridgefield Police officer at the front door of each of the elementary schools and SRMS.
The Ridgefield Police Department also will be on heightened patrol in marked police cars throughout the week at all campuses.
There are door buzzers, visitor sign-in sheets, and cameras in each building. All schools keep doors locked and regularly practice fire and lock-down drills. Staff members are trained in security procedures.
There is a security guard at ERMS and multiple security guards as well as a School Police Resource officer at RHS.
The security guards at the schools will follow the same routines for visitor check-in and sign-in that RHS and ERMS currently use. We will work to move the “buzzers” from the main office to the security desk, but this will take a while. In the meantime, the office staff and security guards will coordinate efforts. We also will ask the Ridgefield police to review our current security guard procedures and implement changes if necessary.
Looking longer term, the Newtown events will be thoroughly examined by police and security experts and they will provide schools with updated recommendations. We also will contract for a security audit in Ridgefield, as was done about six years ago. The recommendations of these experts will result in our plans moving forward.

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