LINDEN NJ November 8 2018 – As part of an agreement reached by the Board of Education and City Council, the district plans to hire retired law enforcement officers to provide school security at the high school academy, the two middle schools and the district’s largest elementary school.

The shared services agreement was adopted last month by both parties for the police department to establish a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class III program to provide security in the district’s largest schools, according to a news release.

Linden High School already has a full time school resource officer through the Linden Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau.

“As a parent with 3 children in the district, safety is always a concern,” said Mayor Derek Armstead. “As the mayor of this city it is my responsibility to provide adequate protection to all of the residents and the protection of our students and children are paramount.  The recent concerns and discussion about Election Day safety are also more easily addressed with the hiring of these additional officers who can be utilized on election days at the schools.”

The Linden Board of Education has been discussing possibly of hiring retired officers since the Parkland, Florida school shooting left 17 students and staff  members dead earlier this year. The school board approved the measure Oct. 30, two weeks after the City Council.

“Nothing is more sacred to us than the safety of our students and staff,” Superintendent of Schools Danny A. Robertozzi said in a statement. “We have come a long way in increasing the security of our schools, including upgraded security cameras, new procedures for visitors, and security vestibules. We have an outstanding relationship with the Linden Police Department and City of Linden, so this is the natural next step in making sure our schools offer a safe and welcoming learning environment.”

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