After the school shooting in Newtown, CT last Friday that left 20 children and six adults dead, millions are talking about what can be done to prevent these horrific mass murders from reoccurring. In addition to sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families, people all over the country are talking about new methods of gun control, how to reign in glamorized media violence without impinging upon artistic expression, how best to improve mental health care, and many other topics believed to have a strong influence over the frequency of public mass-shootings in the U.S. Locally, parents, lawmakers and school officials are beginning to offer some possible answers.
“We cannot begin to assign a psychiatrist to every American, but we can take meaningful steps to lessen the effect of what has become an American culture of violence and obsession with guns,” said Assemblyman Charles Lavine. “I have long fought for rational measures of gun control and to keep high-capacity magazines and weapons out of the hands of those who should never be allowed to use them. I will continue to do so.”
Senator Kemp Hannon stated that he too was committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure the protection of school children, though did not mention gun control specifically. “We must also focus on mental illness, which destroys countless lives every day,” added Hannon.
Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Superintendent Dr. Lorna R. Lewis sent out a message assuring parents that the district already has safety measures in place. “The school district has a comprehensive safety plan for each building that is reviewed throughout the year and shared with law enforcement and our fire departments. All of our buildings are locked and once school is in session entrance can only be gained through one entrance that is monitored throughout the day,” said Lewis.
“While we are confident that we are taking the proper steps to keep our children safe, we will always look for ways to refine and improve our procedures,” the superintendent continued.
