Both St. Louis city and county police are stepping up patrols around schools followingthe shootings in Connecticut.
St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch says the extra patrols began this afternoon and will remain in place until further notice.
Fitch says the department already has 31 school resource officers in districts around the county.
“We’ve always had a good relationship through our safe schools partnership with all of our districts in the county," Fitch said. "And we’ve always talked to them about active shooter situations, how to handle these if they happen in our schools and what they can expect from us if we come into their schools.”
Fitch also says he has the same thoughts as other parents during a time like this. He says his own children were in public schools during the time of the Columbine shootings in Colorado.
“We know that the schools have changed their policies, they have invader drills now, and they’re much more prepared to handle these situations,” Fitch said. “But I also recognize that you could not stop every possibility. If there is a deranged individual out there that wants to do something like this, you could probably try everything in the world to prevent it, and there’s just sometimes you can’t.”
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