How Elmont, Franklin Square, Sewanhaka school districts are securing schools

As schools across Long Island faced 80 threats throughout September, county officials, the Nassau County Police Department and school districts have continued to impress the priority of school safety.

The public is, as always, encouraged to report any suspicious activity to police — but officials say parents play an important role in speaking to their children about school safety and threats.  

“We take threats serious, and it’s a crime,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said during a news conference at the David S. Mack Training and Intelligence Center on Oct. 1. “You have to talk to your children about using that kind of language. If they hear that kind of language in school, they have to report it immediately.”  

The Franklin Square, Elmont and Sewanhaka school districts have taken steps to increase students’ safety in their buildings.

“We are fortunate to have a highly talented and caring security team, whose commitment to the well-being of our school community is unwavering,” Franklin Square school district Superintendent Jared Bloom said in a statement to the Herald. “Together, with our ongoing investments in cutting-edge technology, we continuously assess and refine our security protocols to meet the highest safety standards. This proactive approach allows us to adapt to the evolving needs of our schools, ensuring a safe space for every member of our community to thrive.”

These efforts are strengthened by close partnerships between the district, Nassau police, the local problem-oriented-police unit, known as POP, and Homeland Security, Bloom said. These relationships, he said, help ensure a “swift and coordinated response to any potential security concerns.”

The Elmont school district detailed its security measures to the Herald. During school hours, the school’s doors remain locked and all visitors undergo a background check and license scan upon entry. Regular safety drills, including lockdowns and evacuations, are practiced in accordance with the state’s education department. The district said it collaborates closely with local police precincts and Homeland Security to enhance its safety protocols.

“Our district has continued to invest in security, most recently through an expansion of its surveillance system, including the installation of new cameras throughout the six schools to improve security awareness and access control,” Elmont school district Superintendent Marlon Small said in a statement to the Herald. “These measures underscore our district’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for the entire Elmont School Community.”

The Sewanhaka school district said in a statement to the Herald that it is “investing in enhanced security measures” to protect its schools. These efforts include strengthening building safety protocols, upgrading security technology and providing ongoing safety training to all staff.

“As a district, we are actively investing in security measures and resources that enhance the safety of our schools,” Sewanhaka school district Superintendent Regina Agrusa said in the statement. “These initiatives help to ensure that every student, staff member and visitor to our buildings feels safe and secure while in our care. We take seriously our responsibility to create and maintain a secure learning environment. Our district will continue to prioritize investments in security to uphold this commitment and protect the safety of our entire school community.”

Nassau police work closely with schools to ensure students’ safety, according to Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. Police officers are strategically placed throughout Nassau to respond quickly to any possible threats made to any of the county’s 400 schools.

Schools are equipped with tools such as mantraps and bulletproof glass to slow a shooter down.

The Rave Panic Button app is another tool that has been implemented in schools across Long Island. It acts as a panic button that school staff can use in the event that there is an incident to bypass 911. Once activated, the app notifies police and they are dispatched to the school. 
“It dispatches the cops quicker to the schools,” Ryder said during the news conference.

Seventy percent of school shootings are over in five minutes, with 40 percent of that statistic being over in two minutes, Ryder said. In Nassau County, he said response time to any call take roughly one to three minutes.

— additional reporting by Melissa Berman