Police patrol schools after Conn. shooting
By Brielle Schaeffer, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Date: December 18, 2012
Police cars sat outside every school in the district Monday, the first day back at school after a gun massacre at an elementary school in Connecticut on Friday.
Teton County law enforcement officers have increased their presence in the schools in response to the tragedy, Teton County Undersheriff Bob Gilliam said. Last week’s school shooting killed 26 people, including 20 first-graders.
“We’re going to continue our beefed-up presence at all of our schools indefinitely,” he said.
Sheriff’s deputies and police officers already patrol all schools randomly throughout the year, Gilliam said, walking through the buildings, monitoring the outside and doing general security checks in and around the schools.
Law enforcement also called on the National Park Service this week to provide extra patrols to Kelly and Moran elementary schools, which are located in Grand Teton National Park.
“We were visible to the parents and the children,” Gilliam said. “I believe we have provided a level of assurance that law enforcement was in the area. That certainly helps with the well-being of everyone involved in the schools.”
There were no incidents that alarmed law enforcement Monday, the undersheriff said.
“It was all quiet,” he said.
Gilliam said officers will continue to work with the school district to “provide a level of security we think is required.”
Teton County law enforcement officers are scheduled to meet with school leaders this week to discuss overall security.