Yesterday, Governor Murphy unveiled a statewide school security initiative allocating $6.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding, declaring “nothing is more important than the safety of our children and the educators who help our children achieve their full potential.”

We agree. That is why earlier this year, we presented legislation prioritizing school security, protecting our children, and supporting our school staff and educators:

• A-297 directs the Attorney General to provide annual training on roles and responsibilities before, during, and after school emergencies
• A-298 requires school districts to institute policies to improve emergency communications
• A-299 requires State Police to maintain a 24-hour hotline for receiving anonymous tips regarding potential threats to school safety and security
• A-301 requires a school district to submit emergency communication policies and protocols to the Department of Education for review
• A-303 standardizes the school emergency response training for police officers
• A-304 requires the Commissioner of Education to review school safety and security plans
• A4142 permits school districts to employ safe schools resource officers or Class Three special law enforcement officers for security purposes

We have persistently called on the legislature to consider each bill. So far, each request was denied by the Assembly’s majority party. When it comes to protecting our state’s residents, there is no time to play politics. Nevertheless, we will continue fiercely advocating for their passage.