PRESS RELEASE GOV. PHILIP D. MURPHY | LT. GOV. SHEILA Y. OLIVER | DIR. JARED M. MAPLES NJOHSP OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS NJOHSP Director Maples Testifies Before Congress on Efforts to Protect New Jersey’s Schools September 30 – Press Release Press Contact: Patrick R. Rigby
[email protected] | 609.584.4392 WASHINGTON, DC – Director Jared M. Maples of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) testified before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery in Washington, DC, on September 26 to discuss progress in State efforts to secure schools. The hearing, “Engaging the Community: Perspectives on School Security,” provided updates on a variety of measures and initiatives by NJOHSP and its partners to protect students and staff throughout New Jersey. “Like many Americans, I am heartbroken by the alarming cycle of violent acts taking place in our nation’s schools. My subcommittee’s hearing was an opportunity for stakeholders, like the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, to discuss ongoing challenges in school safety and provide critical feedback to Congress,” said US Representative Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ-10). “I appreciate Director Maples’ testimony before the subcommittee, as it gave Congress a better understanding of the complex challenges our state faces in protecting New Jerseyans. I look forward to continuing to work with Director Maples to ensure that New Jersey’s students can focus on being students.” NJOHSP continues to pursue innovative efforts through measures, such as training school personnel—including administrators, faculty, school resource officers, custodians, and bus drivers—and the community as a whole on how to recognize and report suspicious activity.