Re-evaluating school safety procedures

MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Milford police are lobbying to have officers placed in the city's schools. Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook, the police chief says it's time to re-evaluate school safety procedures.

"Everyone is concerned about school safety right now we all want to make sure our schools are safer  and more secure," said Chief Keith Mello, Milford PD.

The School Resource Officers, or SROs, would be trained police officers already on the force.

"Selection is key, you want to take officers who want to do it and officers that have a skill set to do that,' said Chief Mello.

News 8 asked some city residents what they think about adding officers to school hallways.

"I don't see how it could hurt anything," said Christopher Haley. "If anything another layer of protection could help."

"I don't really think it's necessary to put police officers everywhere," said Kim Thergood. "I don't think it's going to prevent anything."

The SROs would cost the department so they're hoping to get federal funds to help pay for them. If they can't do that they're going to have to turn to local officials to secure the funding.

The police chief says he'd like at least five officers to be in the schools sometime in the next school year.

"It comes down to cost, how much can we afford," Chief Mello said. "I don't think you ever put a price tag on school safety, on the safety of our kids. We have to be practical and we have to realize can we accomplish the mission with six or five, and we think that we can."

"If it could prevent something like that I don't think a price tag is anywhere in the picture," Haley said.