SULLIVAN COUNTY – Since the start of 2022, 27 mass school shootings have devastated the livelihood of various school districts, students, and parents affected by mass gun violence in the United States. 

In the wake of the 27th and most recent of these tragedies in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 students and 2 teachers were shot and killed by alleged gunman 18-year old Salvador Ramos at Robb Elementary School, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced on May 31 that ten bills have been introduced in both the New York Assembly and Senate. These bills are intended to tighten the state’s current gun laws.

If passed, these bills would strengthen gun laws by amending the following: requiring information sharing between state, local and federal agencies when guns are used in crimes; making threatening mass harm a crime; requiring microstamping for new guns; increasing accountability for social media platforms; eliminating grandfathering of large capacity ammunition feeding devices; prohibiting the purchase of body armor for anyone who is not engaged in an eligible profession; strengthening the Red Flag law by expanding the list of people who can file for Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and other measures; requiring that an individual obtain a license, with a minimum age of 21, to purchase a semiautomatic rifle; and closing the "any other weapon" loophole.

“Within the last month, two horrific mass shootings in Buffalo and in Texas have rattled this nation to our core and shed a new light on the urgent need for action to prevent future tragedies,” Governor Hochul said.

“New York already has some of the toughest gun laws in the country but clearly we need to make them even stronger. New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in schools, in grocery stores, in movie theaters, in shopping malls, and on our streets – and we must do everything in our power to protect them.”

Schools speak on safety

In addition to legislation being introduced at the State level, a number of Sullivan County school districts and elementary schools have publicly addressed possible safety concerns that parents and students may have.

Some of the prevention methods being looked into and implemented by schools are single point entries to buildings, video surveillance in the interior and exterior of facilities, and regular drills to practice safety routines should an emergency arise.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the entire Uvalde community. After hearing of the horrific events that transpired [May 24], it is only natural for students, staff and parents to wonder and worry about safety in our schools,” said Liberty Central School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan.

Sullivan went on to list several safety and preventative measures that have been implemented, including School Resource Officers in each of the school buildings, continuing a strong partnership with the Village of Liberty Police Department, and Anonymous Alerts for the anonymous reporting of safety concerns.

In addition to implementing prevention and safety methods, Monticello Superintendent Dr. Matthew T. Evans wrote in a letter addressing the community, “You can be sure that we make school safety and security our top priority. We have received a school violence prevention grant that will provide for increased outreach programs for students and families.”

Sullivan West Elementary Principal Rod McLaughlin and Assistant Principal Kevin Carbone addressed their community with a letter that detailed the school’s prevention plans, and offered solace to those in Texas who were impacted by the tragic event.

“We also have a team in our Counseling Department to help students and staff cope with traumatic situations and to identify individuals who may need support. Lastly, as with all schools in New York State, we have a Safety Plan, developed by our Emergency Response Team in conjunction with our SAVE plan and in collaboration with local authorities. We have practiced that plan throughout the year so that students and staff are aware of what to do in case of any emergency,” wrote McLaughlin and Carbone.

In addition to addressing Fallsburg Central School Districts safety policies and practices, Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz wrote in a letter to the community saying, “I would like to take a moment to recognize the many team members who are directly responsible for FCSD having the current safety measures in place... From our Board of Education, to support from the Town of Fallsburg, the Fallsburg Police Department, our other local law enforcement partners, our staff, our awesome students and our supportive parents. Working together, as we do, prepares us to address known threats and concerns as well as those that are not yet known and hopefully never will be.”

Livingston Manor Central and Roscoe Central Superintendent John Evans wrote, “As our nation mourns the senseless loss of life that occurred [on May 24], as a result of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, I ask that you keep those families impacted by this senseless and needless tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.”

“Our counselors and student support team are available to provide assistance to students or staff members that may need help in processing these events.  Additionally, we are working with our School Resource Officer and the NYS Police for additional on-site support and visibility in the coming days,” Evans wrote.