In response to the deadly Texas elementary school shooting that happened Tuesday, several Connecticut school districts are offering their condolences and ramping up safety efforts.
The shooting at Robb Elementary School is Uvalde, Texas, left 19 children and two teachers dead.
"Unfortunately, Connecticut understands all too well the grief, trauma, and suffering inflicted at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas today, devastating and forever scarring students, families, and communities--and we say enough is enough," said Connecticut Education Association (CEA) President Kate Dias.
In response to the shooting, Middletown Public Schools are activating their crisis team at each school in town.
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The school district said this ensures that they have the proper support in place for anyone who experiences difficult emotions and thoughts.
"While the loss of human life is always painful, the loss of young lives brings about a particularly profound grief, one that seems incomprehensible. I think this is because it's the loss of hope, of promise, and of the future," said Acting Superintendent Dr. Alberto Vasquez Matos.
Naugatuck Police said there will be a strong police presence seen through all schools in town. Officials acknowledged that it's an isolated incident, but said the community's safety is of utmost importance.
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"We do this not to cause fear or unease, but to provide reassurance, and continue in our commitment of keeping our community safe," police said.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said the New Haven Police Department is in contact with state and federal intelligence agencies and, out of an abundance of caution, they are increasing the police presence at schools.
Fairfield schools are also ramping up their police presence at schools Wednesday. Police said this isn't because of any threats to the town or school district; it's a community engagement effort in response to the Texas tragedy.
"No matter the distance between us, communities across the country are left feeling unsettled. Fairfield is certainly no exception and we take seriously our responsibility to ensure our residents, employees and visitors are all able to feel safe within our community and within our schools," police said.
Norwalk police said you can expect an increased police presence at schools.
In Stonington, there will be an increased police presence at schools throughout the remainder of the week. School officials said mental health clinicians are assigned to all buildings and they're encouraging parents to reach out to staff if they feel their child needs additional support.
The Town of West Hartford said it will have an increased police presence at West Hartford schools on Wednesday. The town emphasized that there is no known threat to the schools and the increased police presence is a precaution.
Windsor Locks police said there will be an increased police presence at all school areas for the foreseeable future.
"Today marks another horrific day of unbearable sorrow over the loss of those killed in the recent Texas mass school shooting. We understand the myriad of emotion, fear, and uncertainty felt by so many. At this time, local and state law enforcement are scouring our Intel sources and have found no nexus to Connecticut," Windsor Locks Police Department said in part in a Facebook post.
Ledyard police said they are working with the school district to increase police presence and patrol activity at all of their schools this week and beyond.
"If you see officers in and around our schools, please be assured we're there to protect what's most important," Ledyard police said in part in a Facebook post.
Authorities in Brookfield said they're increasing their presence at schools in town, both inside and out.
"This action is not a result of any threats to our schools but simply a community engagement measure in response to what occurred in Texas," police said.
Bethel police said additional officers will be present throughout the school complex for the near future. They said safety has always been their priority and it will continue to be their priority moving forward.
Police in Trumbull said they're ramping up safety measures by deploying additional officers to schools. They're asking anyone that sees anything suspicious at or near school property to contact police.
"Unfortunately, Connecticut understands all too well the grief, trauma, and suffering inflicted at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas today, devastating and forever scarring students, families, and communities--and we say enough is enough," said Connecticut Education Association (CEA) President Kate Dias.
The CEA described the shooting as a senseless mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of innocent people.
"We, as a nation, must stand together to stop the scourge of gun violence in our schools and communities and protect our students and educators in schools across the country," Dias said.
