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In this archival photo, JPGStudents left Pond Road Middle School in Robinsville at the end of school day. (
Martin Griff/The TimesROBBINSVILLE —
Mayor Dave Fried announced today that Township and school district officials have reached an agreement on funding plans and strategies for security and security upgrades required by township police stations.
The two entities will work together to seek grants to purchase security cameras and equip them for all regional schools, and in case of an emergency, dispatchers and police officers can use them, Fried said.
Frid said the parties may reach an inter-local agreement that would allow the region to purchase cameras using the town's financial capacity for a longer period of time.
"This is a serious security issue that will significantly improve the ability of townships and school districts to respond to any type of potential threat," Frid said yesterday . ".
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children.
The disturbing trend of school violence has changed the way we protect schools.
"In addition, district officials agreed to continue funding school resource officers of the Robinsville patrol officer Edward Vincent stationed in the area to provide police services, including drug abuse prevention courses and inspection safety agreements.
"When we work together, we are in the best shape," says Steve Mayer, director of the Robinsville school . ".
"A community that prioritizes the safety of its members while maintaining a warm, open climate is the right one.
"Last month, Police Chief Martin Masseroni and township government officials delivered an unannounced speech at the school board meeting condemning the region's failure to comply with the requirements for security upgrades.
Matthew O'Grady, vice chairman of the Robinsville school board, said the parties agreed, however, it is not clear how the region will fund such upgrades due to different budget cycles.
"Both sides are concerned about the safety of students, but we have limited resources on both sides," O'Grady said on January . ". 28.
"It's not like someone sitting behind and saying, 'We don't want to do that.
In addition to the project you proposed, there are many things we need to consider.
"Another sticking point is a memorandum of agreement that will allow police access to school facilities 24 hours a day in an emergency.
The memorandum has been transferred to the Mercer County prosecutor's office, which will be accepted by both parties.
Contact Mike Davis from mdavis @ njtimes. com.