Active Shooter Drill Scheduled At Former Manasquan School

Law enforcement agencies from throughout Monmouth County, as well as state agencies, will conduct an active shooter training exercise in Manasquan on April 20th at the former St. Denis School property, Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Sheriff Shaun Golden, and the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association announced. The former Catholic school closed in 2015.

April 20th is the 19th anniversary of the Columbine School Massacre in Jefferson County, Colorado.

“Recent events have only served to highlight the need for preparedness,” said Gramiccioni. “We started down this road nearly 15 months ago with an eye towards readiness and we will continue to prepare for providing the safety our citizens need and deserve. We must recognize the realities of evil people focused on perpetuating evil acts.”

Local high school students have volunteered to participate in the drill which will include law enforcement officers from the Southern Monmouth County Active Shooter Partnership, Manasquan Police Department and surrounding police, EMS/first aid and fire departments, Office of Emergency Management, Monmouth County Fire Marshal, Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT).

“We cannot ignore the realities of our present-day situation,” said Sheriff Golden. “There are people focused on doing harm to us – in our schools, in our workplaces, in our recreational spaces and where we will gather. We can prepare for the worst hoping our preparedness makes us the best.”

The drill will bring road closures and limited access to the immediate area, starting at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20. Residents within the blocks surrounding the school should be aware they may experience limited access during the drill. Union Avenue between Curtis and Marcellus avenues will be closed and traffic diverted towards South Street during the drill. Virginia Avenue will be closed from South Street to Mt Lane. Mt Lane will be closed between Curtis and Marcellus avenues.