BARNSTABLE – There’s a new presence at Barnstable’s public schools.
“Following events nationally, even concerns locally, the police chief came to me identifying that we’re going to put additional assets in all of our public schools. That will commence immediately,” said Town Manager Mark Ells.
The manager said he had discussed the issue with the chief and school superintendent.
On Valentine’s Day, a deadly school shooting took place in Parkland Florida, just outside of Miami.
Ells acknowledges that there is never any guarantee. “I don’t know that you can prevent an outrageous act from occurring. I do think you can have a presence, be a deterrent, have good communication and coordination, and we have that,” he said.
The public school district currently has 5,700 individuals in their student body.
The Hyannis Youth and Community Center already has a Barnstable police presence, and there are also satellite police stations at various locations around the town.