BERKELEY – For quite some time, police officers have had a presence in the township’s schools – both at the elementary and at the middle and high school levels.
Police have said that it helps to form positive relationships with children during their formative years. Children learn that they can come to an officer if they need help, or if someone they know is in trouble.
This has escalated in the times of frequent school shootings across the nation.
Mayor Carmen Amato said that while the police were often in the schools prior to 2013, it was made official then. There is one officer assigned to each school.
It provides parents with peace of mind, he said. They feel safer knowing that someone is there in case there’s any problems.
The students also feel safer, he said. They learn that they can trust the officers and will sometimes give them tips if something bad is happening.
Deputy Chief Kevin Santucci said that having officers in the school makes the relationships better between the students and law enforcement.
He also noted that several of the officers have children in the schools, and they are members of the community, so it is a personal thing for them.
The Township Council authorized a shared services agreement with the Berkeley Board of Education to provide security service for the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 academic years.
The council also approved two police contracts at that meeting. They were both side bar agreements; one was with the Police Benevolent Association and the other was with the Superior Officer Association.
In other news, the council waived the fees for the Bayville Fire Company. They have to replace their boilers. The town would have to inspect the work, which costs inspection fees. However, the fees are usually waived for the volunteers, the mayor explained.
