Norwalk Looks to Safety Improvements in Wake of Newtown Tragedy

In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, in the wake of 26 souls taken too early from a school in Fairfield County including those of 20 tiny children, communities will eventually all look internally at their own operations. 

They will check to see what improvements can be made, if any, to make their communities safer. They will look to improve existing structures and procedures to ensure something like this never happens again.

Currently, that is the process Norwalk is undergoing. Collaborative efforts between city and school officials continued through the week as administration in Norwalk continued its self-examination in light of the horrific events in its own backyard.

"Any public official will tell you the same thing and mean it. Our top priority is always public safety," state Senator Bob Duff said. "After a tragedy like this,we have to reevaluate what we do and how we do it. In light of yet another tragedy, we have to acknowledge there's not "an" answer to this."

There were many steps that needed to be taken, Duff said, and they range from upgrading Norwalk's own establishments and infrastructure to discussions on how to improve gun control.

"Norwalk officials are working with parents so they understand we are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety of their children," Duff said. "The mayor has been going around and visiting the different schools as we look for ways to improve."

Mayor Richard Moccia has been holding meetings with school officials, police and fire chiefs and the Office of Emergency Management director to work out where Norwalk can stand to be strengthened.

"A review of our current standards shows we are in pretty good shape in Norwalk," the mayor said. "But like in any other city where something like this has never happened before, we now have to review, upgrade and make sure we learn new things."

Moccia guaranteed residents that, though Norwalk looks like it is currently in good condition, he has not stopped working to enhance the safety of the district's schools as much as possible since the event in Newtown.

"We're working hard. I've been touring the schools myself, all twelve schools in the last two days," Moccia said on Monday. "I've been talking with every principal and many staff members at each school, reassuring them and making sure they and the children know officials are there to watch over them."
 
Superintendent Anthony Daddona echoed Moccia's assurance on the district's collaboration with city officials to make sure Norwalk school safety standards are as up-to-date as possible.

"We take school safety and security as our first and most important responsibility," Daddona said. "I am in ongoing contact with our police, who have been responsive to our needs and are providing increased presence around all our schools. Our conversations with the police and the mayor’s office focus on our constant effort to assess and improve our readiness to deal with safety issues."

Moccia said Monday Daddona would be heading up a new safety commission designed to gather information on safety improvements around the district and, in his new role, Daddona is calling for those with working knowledge or opinion of school safety procedures to submit their information and concerns to the new commission for review.

"As part of this effort, a district level safety committee will be meeting and will review all suggestions and concerns expressed by our schools," said Daddona in a letter published on the Norwalk Public Schools site. "Additionally, if you have information to share about school safety, address an email to Myrna Tortorello or send a written letter to your child’s teacher, to be forwarded to the District Safety Committee."

He said staff would be instructed in proper procedures and protocols for emergency situations, and students would be involved in practice evacuations and drills that would prepare them for a variety of situations.

Moccia was satisfied with Norwalk's efforts as the situation in Newtown unfolded on Friday, and said upgrading Norwalk's current systems and scenarios would only serve as improvements to a well-functioning system.

"As we so unfortunately saw at Sandy Hook, there is no plan that works 100-percent of the time, but it doesn't mean we're not going do our best effort to improve everything we can," Moccia said. "We're making sure locks, intercom systems, cameras are all working, things of that nature. The reverse 911 messaging system worked well getting word out to parents and teachers."

Senator Duff said he was happy with Norwalk's current efforts, but he didn't know the answer to fixing the underlying situation. However, he said he believed the country would find one as it came together to heal.

"People are going to have guns. And people are going to bad things with guns. And sometimes, there's nothing we will be able to do about it," Duff said. "But we, as a nation, are always able to find the best in ourselves when we look to each other and together, we will find a solution."