Today, 14 children and one teacher at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas were killed, and others injured, in a mass shooting. Nothing about this is normal. We do not have to accept that we live in a country where children are shot just for going to school. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, and we must all do everything we can to end the epidemic of gun violence.
The safety of our State’s residents—including and especially our children—is my top priority. Tonight, joined by New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Callahan, I spoke with law enforcement officers from across the state to ensure coordination in the aftermath of this tragedy. I also directed the New Jersey State Police and our 21 County Prosecutors to increase law enforcement presence at schools throughout New Jersey effective immediately. The State Police will increase their presence at the schools where Troopers are the primary law enforcement. The County Prosecutors will direct their municipal police departments to likewise increase law enforcement presence at schools throughout their jurisdictions.
Our students, their families and caregivers, teachers, and school administrators should feel safe in school, and be assured that New Jersey’s law enforcement agencies will do everything in their power to protect them.