Crime & Safety

Howard County Police to Increase Patrols Near Schools After Connecticut Shooting

Police recently concluded an in-service training of their "active shooter plan."

 

Howard County Police said Friday afternoon they would be increasing patrols around schools next week after an elementary school shooting in Connecticut.

A gunman allegedly killed 27 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, according to Newtown Patch. The gunman was reportedly found dead inside the school.

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Howard County police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn said the department recently concluded in-service training to review the department's "active shooter plan" with its members.

"We also conduct drills to simulate mass shooting incidents," wrote Lllewelyn in an email. "The procedure has police working closely with the school system, which has systems in place to reach out to parents quickly."

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Llewellyn said Police Chief William McMahon spoke with the head of security for the school system Friday after the tragedy in Connecticut to discuss safety in county schools.

Police currently post 13 officers in high schools as school resource officers, three in the middle schools (which travel among schools) and there are also two school resource officer supervisors. Officers are not placed in elementary schools in the county.

See related coverage:

  • Anne Arundel Police Heighten School Security After Connecticut Shooting
  • County Police Patrolling Schools Without Resource Officers After Connecticut Shooting
  • Patch Exclusive: 'It Wasn't Me' Man Named as Shooter Writes


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