Duval County School Police tightening security in wake of mass shooting at Texas school

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — At least 19 students and 2 adults were shot and killed in the Texas elementary school tragedy.

Now, in the wake of the massacre, Duval County Public Schools and the Clay County School District are enhancing security measures for the rest of the week.

DCPS Police Chief Greg Burton sent out a message saying that starting immediately, there will be no backpacks or large handbags allowed at any of the schools this week. Small purses will be allowed but will be subject to searches.

“As a mother, it terrifies me and it’s one of my greatest nightmares,” local mother Katie Hathaway said.

Hathaway has two kids in DCPS schools and says she’s still processing the police chief’s message and appreciates the extra security.

“I’ve not figured out if I’m going to send my children back to school the rest of the year,” she said.

Burton also says DCPS has asked other law enforcement agencies in the area to be vigilant around their schools.

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The entire message from DCPS reads as follows:

“Hello Duval County Public Schools families, this is School Police Chief Greg Burton calling.

Words cannot describe the feelings we have here at the district as we see the tragedy unfolding today at a school in Texas. While we are deeply saddened, we also want to make you aware that we will be increasing our security measures at all schools for the remainder of the week in an abundance of caution.

Effective immediately, there will be no backpacks or large handbags allowed at any Duval County public school this week. Small purses will be allowed but will be subject to search. Repeating: There will be no backpacks or large handbags allowed at our school for the remainder of the week. Small purses will be allowed but will be subject to search.

I remind you that all of our schools are staffed with an armed police or security officer. In addition, all of our leadership officers will be at schools for the remainder of the week, and we have asked other law enforcement agencies in the area to be especially vigilant around our schools.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families whose lives have been forever impacted by the events in Texas today. While their loss is heavy on my heart, we remain steadfast in our mission to keep students and staff safe. In closing, I also remind you that school security is a partnership. If you see or hear of a threat to our schools, please inform us or the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office immediately. Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to a safe and secure closing of our school year. Goodbye.”

Hathaway says gun safety is an all-round effort.

“He did say this is a partnership keeping our schools safe and I would like to add to that if parents have firearms in the home, they should be securing them, locked up so children don’t have access to them,” Hathaway said.

The Clay County School District also said they will be enhancing security measures, in a message sent out by their Chief of School District Police, Kenneth Wagner.

“Parents, Students, and Faculty of Clay County District Schools:

We are deeply hurt by the tragic events which unfolded today at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences extend to the families of the students and faculty at the school.

Clay County District School Police want to make you aware that there is no direct threat to any Clay County School. However, out of an abundance of caution, we have partnered with Clay County Sheriff’s, Green Cove Springs Police Department, and Orange Park Police Department to increase security measures and police presence at all schools for the remainder of the week.

School Police will be readily available to answer questions and if you see something, say something to an officer or school administration.”

Putnam County School District also released a message that reads:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, staff and community of Uvalde, Texas, as they face this senseless tragedy. We will continue to be vigilant with security measures at all schools through the last day of school on June 3rd. We urge our local community to report suspicious activity to local authorities or via FortifyFL.”

Action News Jax has reached out to the St. Johns County School District and the Nassau County School District to see if they will be doing anything similar and we’re waiting for a response.

PHOTOS: Images from the Robb Elementary School shooting

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