Editor’s Note: The following letter was written to Merrick Superintendent Dr. Dominick Palma by South Merrick Community Civic Association President Joe Baker.
The South Merrick Community Civic Association (SMCCA) has formed a committee to evaluate and make suggestions for enhanced security at our schools.
A meeting attended by parents, grandparents and school board members focused on idea's that may be helpful for the school administration to determine how to improve security procedures.
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The SMCCA Board decided to appoint Merrick resident Ron Luparello to head the civics newly formed "School Security Committee". Mr. Luparello's experience as a New York City Police Officer and ex-Merrick Fire Chief will be extremely helpful in determining how best to protect our schools. Mr. Luparello is also parent of a student attending Birch School.
Other attendee's at the civic meeting included retired New York City Police Captain Tom Nizza and New York State Court Officer Stephen Capobianco who is also a Certified Police Firearms Instructor and Merrick firefighter. Both are parents or grandparents of students attending Merrick schools and have also volunteered to serve as advisors on this committee.
Hopefully, this committee will serve as a liaison between parents and school officials resulting in increased confidence that our children are safe while attending school.
Please contact SMCCA at southmerrickcca@yahoo.com or call 516-978-8310 for information.
What do you think of the newly formed committee? Tell us in the comments section below.
MORE PUBLIC SAFETY NEWS
South Merrick Civic Forms School Security Committee
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Michael Ganci (Editor) June 14, 2013 at 09:13 am
You should add this to our map!…Read More http://merrick.patch.com/groups/week-ahead/p/holding-a-yard-sale-in-merrick-add-it-to-our-map_1b4961d5
Michael Ganci (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 08:19 am
You should add this to our garage sale map!…Read More http://merrick.patch.com/groups/week-ahead/p/holding-a-yard-sale-in-merrick-add-it-to-our-map_1b4961d5 MG
tim stimus June 13, 2013 at 08:27 am
Is the Merrick LIRR parking permit issue going to be addressed? The parking situation is out of…Read More control !
Culturally I feel certain I am connected to a large percentage of the Merrick population which has strong objections to firearms, armed guards and professional security presence in the schools. As. A former SEPTA president and PTA Founders member, I am in alignment with the official National PTA response to the recent horrific tragedy when I say: National PTA’s “Components of an Effective School” recognizes the importance of a safe learning environment and describes an effective school’s climate as one with settings that are “safe and encourage the highest level of student learning and achievement.” In order to achieve an effective climate, schools must “have a gun-free environment.” Additionally, I will add that I am not alone when I express my absolute refusal to allow my children to attend a school where there are any firearms allowed on school property, sanctioned by a committee, school board, law enforcement or security system, professional or volunteer. Linda Gottlieb