New Canaan police want to add officers for elementary schools

NEW CANAAN — Police Chief Leon Krolikowski is looking to add an officer at the elementary schools in response to the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

He proposed paying for the additional officer with a change to the department's original American Rescue Plan Act request.

If approved, the department would add to its police coverage at the town's three elementary schools and private schools. The department already employs school resource officers for New Canaan High School and Saxe Middle School.

“Everybody is very much aware of what happened in Texas, and other places, so it is the time to be really more cautious and thoughtful and less complacent in months from now, years from now,” the chief said.

Krolikowski estimated that the new officer would increase school checks to thousands a year. “It will only enhance security,” he said.

The police commission voted unanimously to support the $108,000 request. With the added officer, each lower school would be checked on as many as 16 times.

“Given what happened in Uvalde and concerns in our community about school safety and security, I reframed and thought about the requests,” the chief said.

He said he spoke with New Canaan Schools Superintendent Bryan Luizzi and “he's very supportive of it and I think it will be a great initiative.”

Krolikowski agreed to speak with the headmasters at the private schools, such as St. Luke's and St. Aloysius, to make sure they are comfortable with the increased control. “If people aren't used to seeing police cars driving around the schools, it can create anxiety,” he said.