RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Contact: Edward D. Westervelt, Ed. D, Superintendent
Phone: 732-842-8000 ext. 1240, 1247
Marianne Kligman
Community Information Coordinator,
;732-758-9089 732-586-1232 (cell)
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2009
RBR School Officials Quickly Intercept Trespassers to High School Building
Little Silver: A recent trespass incident was reported by some press and has taken on a life of its own in the media blogs. We would like to address the facts to end any misinformation and speculation that may still exist in the RBR community.
On Friday, October 16, at approximately 11:00 am, three young men trespassed onto the school property at the back patio. They gained access into the school cafeteria when one of our students mistakenly took them for RBR students and opened the locked door. As our school building and lunch periods are constantly monitored by our administration and security personnel, the trespassers were quickly identified and deterred from entering any other part of the school. Our administration prides itself on knowing all its student body.
Specifically, our Principal, Jim Stefankiewicz, and Dean of Students, Alan Choback, accosted and detained two young men while our resource officer, Little Silver police officer Pete Gibson, followed another to our administration parking area where a fourth student was waiting in their car. With the quick response of the Little Silver Police force, all four men were arrested. The men were later identified by the police, and their identities were reported to the press. Three were residents of Long Branch and one a resident of Bradley Beach. All four were alumni of St Rose High School in Belmar. There was absolutely no gang connection to the incident. The men were not armed. RBR students were not harmed nor accosted by the trespassers. Police investigations revealed that the purpose of the trespass pertained to a personal female-male relationship issue.
Consequently, during an assembly planned for this week’s Violence and Vandalism Awareness Week, Principal Stefankiewicz spoke directly to the students about the incident stressing that the high school building security is everyone’s responsibility. He encouraged them to immediately find a staff member if they see someone trying to enter the building who is not a student. Superintendent Dr. Edward Westervelt has also sent home a letter to all parents explaining the incident and asking for reinforcement of the shared responsibility message the principal delivered. Consequently, the school’s front doors are currently under construction for a new keyless entry system with card readers which is set for completion by early November. Security guards are currently stationed at the temporary side entrance and will be stationed at the front to buzz in visitors to the building when the project is finished. Additional security cameras have recently been added to the interior and exterior of the building. The project was funded 40% by a state grant.