Conn. Officials Want More Mental Health Workers at Schools, Not Guns
HARTFORD, Conn. — In response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, state officials and the public met with lawmakers Friday to suggest ways to help school security, prevent gun violence and open up mental health access.
During the daylong first meeting of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence and Children’s Safety, many who testified offered positive feedback on hiring trained, armed school resource officers to protect Connecticut schools. However, officials believed that adding school social workers, counselors and psychologists would be a better option, reports Litchfield County Times.
Additionally, law enforcement officials, such as South Windsor Police Chief Matthew Reed advised the task force to be cautious when considering the use of armed guards at schools, citing that they are not like trained police when dealing with threats. The Connecticut Police Chief’s Association also suggested installing video surveillance, panic alarms and identification badges.
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- More Guns on Campus Won’t Make Schools Safer
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