With the return of most Long Island students to school just a week away and in light of a recent school shooting in Minneapolis, Nassau County has outlined new measures aimed at ensuring the safety of children.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, along with Police Chief Patrick Ryder, revealed the formation of a new “strategic response team.” This team will initially focus on public schools within the municipal borders as students head back to classes.
The 40-member team is set to cover all 450 public schools in Nassau, including religious institutions, private schools, charter schools, and universities, starting Tuesday when many students return.
As part of this initiative, officers will conduct daily visits to each school during the commencement of the school year. They’ll patrol the premises, meet with principals, and familiarize themselves with the school’s layout before any emergencies arise.
“At the start of the school year, we allocate more resources to ensure the safety of our communities, particularly our schools,” Blakeman remarked to reporters at the NCPD Training and Intelligence Center in Garden City.
He elaborated on how approaches to potential school shooting scenarios have shifted. Instead of a more calculated strategy, the focus is on immediate action— officers will engage without waiting for backup, aiming to neutralize threats swiftly.
This new guideline entails that officers will be prepared to enter a building as soon as they arrive, with cars equipped with ballistic vests, helmets, gear for violations, and medical kits.
“In Nassau County, the first officers will act immediately. There will be no waiting,” Ryder stated. “We neutralize the threat and return for those who need help.”
Aside from the increased police visibility, every school will also have access to the county’s Rave app, enabling administrators to alert police within seconds, bypassing the 911 system.
School administrators, such as Nassau’s Superintendent Marie Testa, have voiced their support for these enhanced safety measures and the collaboration with law enforcement.
“The ongoing commitment from the county and commissioners to bolster security is greatly respected and appreciated by school leaders,” she noted outside the training facility.
Blakeman and Ryder both underscored that while the initiative starts at schools, the teams won’t be restricted to the classroom environment. As students advance in grades, units will also patrol neighborhoods, providing additional support where necessary.
Officials indicated that the teams could be deployed for various situations, including county events, concerts, protests, and areas noted for illegal activities or street racing.
In addition to their ground operations, the team will also receive regular intelligence briefings and utilize drones for aerial monitoring of crowds, delivering real-time information to officers on the ground.
“This new strategic response team is adaptable and ready to respond wherever needed,” Blakeman said. “Whether it’s a school event, a concert, a protest, or a car break-in, these officers will be there.”
