12/17/2024
SCHOOL SECURITY
Statement on the Need for School Resource Officers and Enhanced School Security Measures
The safety and security of our children must be our top priority, and it is critical that we take proactive steps to ensure every school in the Commonwealth is a secure environment for learning. As incidents of violence and threats to schools continue across the country, Massachusetts must lead by example in protecting its students, educators, and staff.
Yesterday’s tragic school shooting in Wisconsin serves as a clear and heartbreaking reminder of why we must act now to secure our schools. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community grappling with this senseless act of violence. We owe it to the children of Massachusetts to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen here.
In 2014, the Massachusetts Governor’s Task Force on School Safety and Security, commissioned by then-Governor Deval Patrick, issued comprehensive recommendations to enhance school safety. This extensive report was informed by valuable testimony from experts across the Commonwealth, including many School Resource Officers (SROs) from the Cape Cod area. Notably, Officer Nick Pasquarosa of the Yarmouth Police Department, who has been serving as a full-time SRO since 1994, provided key insights during the commission’s deliberations. The report emphasized the critical role of SROs in fostering safe school environments, as well as the importance of modern security measures such as secured entrances, surveillance systems, and robust emergency response plans.
As a former SRO and a 40-year police officer, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact SROs and comprehensive security measures have on school communities. SROs not only deter potential threats but also serve as trusted mentors, fostering relationships that enhance trust and safety for students, educators, and families.
That is why, in 2025, I will be refiling the bill to require School Resource Officers and modern security measures in all Massachusetts schools. This legislation will ensure that every school has the tools and personnel necessary to protect its students and staff.
We must learn from tragedies like yesterday’s and act on the strong foundation provided by the 2014 commission report. Our children, educators, and school staff deserve safe, supportive environments where they can thrive without fear. Together, we can make Massachusetts a model for school safety and ensure our schools remain places of learning, growth, and security.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the hundreds of certified School Resource Officers—many of whom work with specially trained comfort dogs—who serve bravely across Cape Cod and the Commonwealth. Their commitment to protecting and supporting our school communities is invaluable, and I am proud to stand alongside them in this vital work.
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National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO)
Cape Cod School Resource Officers' Network
Yarmouth Police Dept.
Barnstable Police Department
Sandwich Police Department
Bourne Police Department
M.J.P.O.A. (Massachusetts Juvenile Police Officer’s Association)
Freedom Labradors
