Local School Districts Respond to West Long Branch Incident

Responding to recent reports of an incident in West Long Branch last week, Superintendent Carolyn M. Kossack issued a letter Thursday afternoon urging parents to remind their children of the importance of stranger awareness.

The March 21 incident, in which a white male allegedly approached a West Long Branch girl near her bus stop, has prompted several local districts, including Rumson, to issue letters to parents.

Kossack wrote in the March 29 letter that both schools will address the importance of safety Friday morning with students.

Chief Dan Shaffery told Patch on Wednesday that his department was aware of the West Long Branch incident but police presence hadn't been heightened because, "We're always there," he said.

"We routinely flood our school zones with patrols," said Shaffery, who added that there have been no reported incidents in Little Silver. "Especially during arrival and dismissal."

A post on the Residents Facebook page states, "The is aware of this incident and will continue to maintain a presence in the area of the schools as we have tried to do all year. If any suspicious conduct is observed in the area of our schools, bus stops or other areas children are present, please call the Oceanport Police Department as soon as possible."