Police in Connecticut boosting presence at schools in wake of Texas massacre

Police in Connecticut are increasing their watch over local schools in the wake of a mass shooting at a Texas elementary school where 19 students and two teachers were killed Tuesday.

“In light of the recent school shooting in the state of Texas, the Middletown Police Department will be assigning officers to every school in the district and implementing increased police patrols in the surrounding areas,” city police said.

Police said the precautionary measure is meant to allow students and faculty to feel safe after an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two adults at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. A Border Patrol agent killed the attacker, authorities said.

It was the deadliest shooting at a U.S. school since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown in December 2012.

Windsor Locks and West Hartford police said they also were boosting police presence in local schools.

“Today marks another horrific day of unbearable sorrow over the loss of those killed in the recent Texas mass school shooting,” Windsor Locks police posted on its Facebook page. “We understand the myriad of emotion, fear, and uncertainty felt by so many.”

“At this time, local and state law enforcement are scouring our intel sources and have found no nexus to Connecticut,” the post said.

However, “in the wake of such horrific incidents, it is not uncommon to see an uptick in copycat/disruptive incidents involving schools nationwide,” Windsor Locks police said. “Please report all suspicious activity to police. Be vigilant.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and families that have experienced such heartbreaking loss at the hands of unimaginable evil,” police said. “We also stand in solidarity with the emergency personnel who responded to the scene, including the officers and tactical units that ended the threat, and the paramedics and medical personnel who worked valiantly to save lives.”

West Hartford police posted on their Facebook page that the department is increasing patrols, while there is no known threat to local schools. The department is “deeply saddened by the events that unfolded today in Texas and as a state we unfortunately know the impact that these tragic events have on an entire community.

“Our hearts are with victims, families, educators, first responders, and greater community of Uvalde, TX #enoughisenough.”

In a letter to the school community Wednesday, Farmington Superintendent Kathy Greider wrote that police presence at local schools would be increased and also that such senseless violence can have a significant impact on students.

“Our students are often watching and listening to the coverage of these horrific events and we see the impact of these acts of hatred on our students’ social emotional well-being.” Greider wrote. “As a reminder, please reach out to your school if your child is expressing fear or worry or you see changes in behavior that would signify increased anxiety.”

Farmington schools will have counselors and support from social workers and psychologists available for students across all schools “who are experiencing worry or fear due to this unimaginable act of violence,” the superintendent wrote.

“In all of our efforts,” she wrote, “we want to ensure that each member of our school district community feels safe, connected and cared for each day. We also need all members of our school district community to alert us and/or the law enforcement when they hear or see something concerning.”

“We appreciate the Farmington Police Department each day and especially during difficult times,” Greider wrote. “They are always here for us and we are extremely grateful.”

Bristol School Superintendent Catherine Carbone wrote in a message to the school community that horrifying events such as the mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo affect the mental health of young people.

“As educators,” Carbone wrote, “we strive to create intellectually safe learning spaces that support our scholars as they process unsettling events. Our students are watching, listening, and learning. If your child needs any further support, our school psychologists, school counselors, and other social-emotional support staff are here to help.”

Carbone assured parents that staff and students regularly practice safety drills and that school security, including personnel and camera systems, have been increased.

“Our staff and administrators are trained to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activities or concerns,” Carbone wrote. “I trust that our students will do the same to a trusted adult, teacher, or administrator as well. Collectively, we will work towards keeping our students safe every day.”

In New Haven, Mayor Justin Elicker said, the New Haven Police Department is in contact with state and federal intelligence partners, and out of an abundance of caution are increasing the police presence at our schools.

“Last night, I hugged my two kids a little tighter. This morning, I gave them an extra kiss before sending them off to school. There are at least 19 children in Uvalde, Texas whose parents can’t hug or kiss them anymore,” Elicker said. “We also lost two adults and there are more in the hospital still who are in the fight of their lives.

Elicker asked, How many more must die in our schools, in our supermarkets and in our streets before the U.S. Congress acts to help address this carnage?

“Cities and states can only do so much. This is a national crisis and it demands a national response,” he said.

‘Enough is enough.”

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com