NYC Security Firm to Assess New Rochelle Schools

In the aftermath of the , the City School District of New Rochelle announced it is hiring a security consulting firm to assess buildings districtwide.

Vigilant Resources International, whose chairman and CEO is former NYC police commissioner Howard Safir, will conduct a ful "Threat, Risk & Assessment" for the district, according to the announcement made by the Board of Education.

After the threats, risks, and vulnerabilities have been assessed, VRI will make a series of prioritized recommendations.

The district said the assessment will include building visits, meetings, interviews and a review of documents.

"We thank the many members of our community who have suggested changes to safety procedures over the past several weeks," the board statement said. "Interim changes to existing procedures have been implemented at our buildings as a direct result of your input."

District spokesman Paul Costiglio said some security desks have been relocated, front doors at schools during school hours are being locked, where possible and appropriate, and arrival and dismissal procedures at the elementary schools have been revamped.

"We are assessing the ongoing pilot test of the buzzer/camera/swipe system at three of our schools (Trinity, Barnard and Columbus) with the hope that it can be rolled out districtwide," he said.