The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed Wednesday that it is working with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) on safety protocols after Tuesday’s deadly mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
“Primarily precinct-based officers are visiting elementary schools today, where they are providing reassurance and discussing existing protocols,” MNPD spokeswoman Kristin Mumford told The Tennessee Star Wednesday.
Tuesday night, MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle released a statement about the shooting.
“We are devastated by the senseless, horrific shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that has caused the death of several teachers and students,” the statement said. “Children have the right to learn and thrive in a safe environment, free from violence or tragedy, and far too often society fails in protecting that right. Our hearts go out to all the families in Uvalde who have lost loved ones.”
The statement said the school district is also working with student support services, who will help teachers and students “process this tragic event,” and that they would consult with MNPD to determine any “additional steps that should be taken in the immediate aftermath.”
Tuesday night, MNPD Chief John Drake also issued a statement, which was provided to The Star.
““As a parent and grandparent of a 4-year-old, I am heartbroken over this afternoon’s murders of elementary school children and at least one teacher in Texas,” Drake said. “While I await details of the investigation now underway, I have directed that all 70 Nashville elementary schools be visited tomorrow by a police officer to help reassure staff and discuss security protocols. I have also directed that our School Resource Officers and supervisors relay the same messaging at their assigned Middle and High Schools.”
“High school graduation ceremonies in our city have been taking place since last week and conclude tomorrow,” he said. “Our department has taken steps, as we do each year, to enhance safety and security at those events.”
Tuesday afternoon, a lone gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, where he shot and killed 19 children and two teachers before being killed by police.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
What a horrible tragedy, what an awful for all involved to have to endure. It seems a very short time ago the left was actively campaigning to defund police departments. Schools too, wanted to eliminate in school safety officers. It doesn’t have to be this way. Fully fund law enforcement to include safety officers that they would outstation to the schools. The funding, training and supervision needs to rest with law enforcement not school administrators.
I sure hope that they do a better job at insuring safety than they do for ensuring a quality education.