Delaware News

Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Making Our Communities and Schools Safer

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | News | Date Posted: Friday, December 13, 2013




Twelve months ago we grieved the devastating loss of 26 innocent lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The anniversary of that horrible day evokes memories of deep sadness and of the incredible compassion the nation showed for that community. It’s also a solemn reminder that we must do everything in our power to prevent similar incidents in our communities or anywhere.

In the wake of tragedy, I’m proud that Delaware leaders acted. While Washington gridlocked on improving gun safety, we closed an enormous loophole in our background check system. Criminals can no longer buy weapons undetected by shopping at a private dealer. To further prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands, we’ve mandated the reporting of lost and stolen firearms, which so often end up at crime scenes because they were acquired by someone prohibited from having a weapon. We have no higher responsibility than to provide a secure learning environment for our children, and, moving forward, we continue to accelerate comprehensive school safety planning across our state.

Here in the Laurel School District, administrators and law enforcement are among the first to finish the initial phase of the planning process using a new web portal. It helps ensure that they’re ready for any threat by simplifying the planning process. The portal also provides school leaders and emergency responders with easy access to safety plans for various incidents, as well as maps and photos. All of our public and charter schools are now working with this system. By never forgetting the lessons taught in tragedy, and by ensuring our memories compel us to make improvements, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

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Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Making Our Communities and Schools Safer

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | News | Date Posted: Friday, December 13, 2013




Twelve months ago we grieved the devastating loss of 26 innocent lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The anniversary of that horrible day evokes memories of deep sadness and of the incredible compassion the nation showed for that community. It’s also a solemn reminder that we must do everything in our power to prevent similar incidents in our communities or anywhere.

In the wake of tragedy, I’m proud that Delaware leaders acted. While Washington gridlocked on improving gun safety, we closed an enormous loophole in our background check system. Criminals can no longer buy weapons undetected by shopping at a private dealer. To further prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands, we’ve mandated the reporting of lost and stolen firearms, which so often end up at crime scenes because they were acquired by someone prohibited from having a weapon. We have no higher responsibility than to provide a secure learning environment for our children, and, moving forward, we continue to accelerate comprehensive school safety planning across our state.

Here in the Laurel School District, administrators and law enforcement are among the first to finish the initial phase of the planning process using a new web portal. It helps ensure that they’re ready for any threat by simplifying the planning process. The portal also provides school leaders and emergency responders with easy access to safety plans for various incidents, as well as maps and photos. All of our public and charter schools are now working with this system. By never forgetting the lessons taught in tragedy, and by ensuring our memories compel us to make improvements, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.