CLOSTER, N.J.—About 40 concerned parents and residents at an Oct. 22 Closter schools forum heard local police and educators provide extensive detail on security and safety efforts in the borough’s elementary and middle school.
The third forum on Closter schools—sponsored by the council’s three Republicans and Mayor John Glidden—was held at Borough Hall on a cool, rainy night.
Two previous forums were held at the Senior Center on Lewis Street.
While school security was a primary focus, other issues such as social media awareness and monitoring, traffic flow around schools, security preparations, police presence, security at religious facilities, and the importance of communication to enhance security were discussed.
Three police officials including Chief John McTigue, Lt. Thomas Brueck, and Sgt. Michael Fehsal, along with Hillside Elementary Principal Dianne Smith and Parent Teacher Organization member Liz Fanelli provided perspectives on school security, addressing everything from school lockdowns and security measures to possible options for improving security.
‘Number one…communication’
“Ultimately, the number one thing for safety for students, faculty and staff and for my officers is communication,” said Chief McTigue.
He said police have “random” walk-throughs to local schools, where officers will park their police vehicle and walk throughout the buildings, sometimes even joining in with recreational activities, or a classroom, when time allows.
He said police being known to students by their first names and staff knowing police is “foremost” in dealing with any potential school threats.
McTigue said police also try to provide an officer when available to offer an enhanced police presence at Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest.
He said based on availability, patrol officers daily visit schools and walk through schools “as much as we can.”
He said police currently monitor both schools in real-time via five security cameras. He said all doors at Closter schools remain locked at all times, and police monitor entrances when school is in session.
One parent asked what children are told during an active-shooter drill and Lt. Brueck explained the differences between security protocols such as a lockdown drill, or shelter-in-place drill. He said different drills involve different types of placement in classrooms.
McTigue said “every corner of every building” is checked and every child is accounted for by police during any event such as a lockdown.
Answering a question about armed officers in schools, he said “nothing’s really been discussed” to provide full-time armed officers in schools and if that was wanted by parents, the school board and mayor and council, the police would “facilitate” such a program.
‘On the same page’
“It’s not an easy program to run and it’s not acceptable to everybody based on appearance, and I get that. I’m not going to push any idea down anybody’s throat other than communicate with your kids and have us communicate with your kids and let’s all be on the same page as a team,” he added.
Fanelli said a possible awareness campaign by Closter PTO might be initiated to focus on problems with social media and its use.
Smith said she was aware that parents “are lagging behind” technology used by their children, contributing to problems with internet use.
She said at Hillside school, students are taught in third and fourth grades how to use the internet appropriately and safely when sending a text message.
‘Full access’ to phones
McTigue said he has “full access” to the phones of his three children, including two teenagers “and believe me I’ve taken ridicule for that being implemented in my own home,” he said. “I have full access to all of their phones and if they don’t like it they don’t have a phone,” said the chief.
“Knowing that I have access to their phones at any time, it’s kind of that front line of security,” said the chief.
McTigue said the current department has 20 officers and he said he remembered at one point it included 24 officers. Fehsal said the police protect local houses of worship, in addition to schools, and were present at temples during recent Jewish holy days.
Glidden said anyone with concerns about school safety should contact the school administration, police department or mayor’s office.
‘Don’t be afraid…’
“Don’t be afraid to ask a question. Don’t be afraid to bring something to our attention that is something that’s concerning you,” he said.
Glidden said he moved to Closter “about 30 years ago” because of quality schools, and “the best police department in Bergen County bar none…so when it comes to school safety ask the questions, talk to your neighbors, talk to the other folks that you associate with who also have kids in the schools,” said Glidden.
Glidden later said “enough parents” showed up to demonstrate their strong concern for school safety. He said he learned “a lot of little things” that help make school security more effective.
‘It’s a different world’
Councilman Joseph Yammarino said “it’s a different world even from when my kids were younger” and noted “the level of security” at each school that stops parents from entering now.
Councilwoman Alissa Latner said “they’re (police) so thorough and that they really try to prepare. You can’t know every situation that might happen but they have something lined up for every possibility.”
Latner said the police walk-throughs and daily presence contribute to an ongoing relationship with students and better school security.
Councilwoman Victoria Amitai said she was impressed with the “layers of security” at schools and noted the value of public forums to discuss issues.
Photo by Michael Olohan