SCHOOLS IN AREA TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AFTER SHOOTINGS

by ALISON STEWART | REPORTER Published: December 26, 2012 12:00AM

Aurora schools Superintendent Russ Bennett said the aftermath of the shootings in Newtown, Conn. was "heart wrenching" as area leaders reacted to the recent Dec. 14 tragedy.

Streetsboro Mayor Glenn Broska said he is "still trying to absorb the absolutely senseless tragedy that has occurred in Newtown."

"I will convene a meeting as soon as possible with our [Streetsboro] police department and the leadership at the schools to further enhance the safety of our kids," Broska wrote on a Facebook post. "I have already formulated thoughts and ideas, and will share them at the meeting."

Representatives from the Streetsboro Police Department met with school principals and Superintendent Dr. Tim Calfee on Dec. 17, according to Streetsboro Police Chief Roy Mosley III.

"We are going to be more visible this week to be a reassurance to parents so they know that we're out there," said Mosley during the final week of school before the winter break. The schools also will implement the ALICE program.

In Aurora, the schools already have the ALICE program in place.

According to Bennett, the schools have resource officer Michelle Ice, who has trained the staff in ALICE and will train students as well.

The training program known as ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate) has been taught throughout the country, officials said. The training teaches people how to prepare and possibly fight back against an armed gunman.

Some of the training techniques include learning how to barricade a door, how to escape by breaking a window and, if a person can't get away, how to fight back if there is no other option.

"All of the doors are locked during the school day," said Calfee. "We have a buzzer system along with a camera system so we know who is at the door."

According to Calfee, there is a police officer assigned to the district all day, every day.

"IN EVERY office, there is a 'panic button' that connects immediately to the police station," Calfee said.

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