AMITY >> Amity Township Police Chief Andrew J. Kensey said Feb. 15 that his department continues to be proactive with “Active Shooter” trainings at the Daniel Boone Middle School, 1845 Weavertown Road, in Amity.
The department’s most recent training was a lockdown exercise on Feb. 8, less than one week before 17 people were killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.
The lockdown exercise was coordinated with Middle School Principal Jenny Rexrode and Assistant Principal Phil Repko.
“We met on Feb. 13 for a recap and to facilitate future discussions on active shooter protocol, including lockdown and lockout procedures,” said Kensey, adding, “Our mission as police is to, number one, eliminate the threat, and two, to administer first aid.”
“Our intent is to have monthly meetings, in order to have a collaborative response, and will discuss that with District Superintendent James P. Harris.”
One lesson learned from Parkland, Fla., (and the other mass school shootings), said Kensey, is that “inaction is no action.”
“We have to be proactive to take measures to protect our children. That means collaborative decisions between police, legislators and local government, including gun control, being able to identify circumstances that can lead to an incident, and recognizing that mental health has to be addressed.”
“We need to bridge the gap between school and police department, with a proactive measure to minimize the incidence of this, and we need to do that in Amity Township. We are not exempt from a similar incident.”
Kensey was hired as police chief in December 2015, following the retirement of Kent Shuebrook.
Since his appointment, Kensey has implemented daily police log books at the district’s three elementary schools, the middle school and the high school.
“Every school, every day, at different times, police check in and sign the log books, as well as their corresponding supervisor.”
Daniel Boone Area High School at 501 Chestnut St. in Union Township is in the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police from the Reading station because Union Township doesn’t have its own police force.
Kensey said he has facilitated several discussions with the school district on the value of hiring a School Resource Officer, but that has been precluded by the lack of funds.
Two of Kensey’s officers are members of the Berks County Emergency Response Team.
Police Cpl. John Coe will participate in an Active School Threat Instructor Training for one week next month in Maryland.
“The important thing is getting everyone together and putting plans into place before anything happens,” said Kensey.
