Previously Published in The Messenger
By Raheem Soto
Commack will begin stationing armed guards at every school in the district starting this September. The decision follows a March 2025 vote by the Board of Education and the approval of the 2025–2026 school budget by district voters in May.
The district entered into a one-year contract with Covert Investigations & Security, a private security firm based in Ronkonkoma. The agreement takes effect on July 1, 2025, with full implementation planned for the start of the school year in September. Each of Commack’s four elementary schools will have one armed guard, while both middle schools and the high school will have two.
Under the plan, guards will remain stationed outside school buildings during school hours, covering entrances, parking areas, and other access points. District officials stated that guards would not be assigned to interior hallways or classrooms and would only enter school buildings in the event of an emergency.
Commack becomes one of at least 18 school districts in Suffolk County that currently employ armed guards as part of their school safety plans. Nearby districts, including Smithtown, Half Hollow Hills, Hauppauge, Massapequa, and South Huntington, have implemented similar programs since 2018. Most have contracted with private firms and utilize a perimeter-only security model with trained officers on standby throughout the school day.
Commack officials emphasized that the district’s decision was not in response to a specific incident but rather part of a broader review of safety protocols. Over the past several years, the district has implemented multiple infrastructure upgrades, including secure vestibules, door-ajar alarm sensors, visitor ID scanning systems, and surveillance cameras. A team of unarmed guards—primarily retired law enforcement personnel—has also been in place.
The armed guard program is being introduced as an additional layer to what officials described as a “multi-tiered” school safety framework. The security contract is included in the 2025–2026 school budget and does not require a tax increase. District leadership stated that the agreement was reviewed and approved in coordination with legal counsel, risk assessment consultants, and local police representatives.
Covert Investigations & Security, the company awarded the contract, also provides security services to Smithtown and Half Hollow Hills. In both of those districts, the guards remain outside school buildings and follow district-specific safety protocols. All armed personnel must pass the required training and participate in annual requalification.
Preparation for the program will take place over the summer. Guards will undergo background checks, complete school safety training, and receive emergency protocol briefings, which will be coordinated with building administrators. The district has said that guards will not be present during summer school or enrichment programs. Training will take place when students are not on campus.
Officials have announced that informational materials will be distributed to families prior to the school year’s resumption in September. The district’s website will include updated security procedures and contact information for school safety coordinators. Staff briefings and emergency response rehearsals will also take place in August to ensure readiness.
Reactions from the community have been mixed. On social media and in community meetings, some parents have expressed support, noting that other local school districts have already adopted similar policies. Supporters often emphasized the importance of reducing emergency response times and having trained professionals on site as a precaution.
Others have raised questions about the decision. Some residents said they were concerned about the presence of firearms on school grounds, even in the hands of professionals. Others questioned whether the funds might be more effectively directed toward student support services such as counseling, mental health programs, or school psychologists.
Some community members expressed conditional support, saying they agreed with the reasoning but still had concerns about how the presence of armed guards might affect student perceptions or day-to-day school operations. District officials have responded by clarifying that guards will not interact with students unless an emergency requires their involvement.
According to neighboring district reports, including statements from Smithtown and Half Hollow Hills, armed guards are typically posted in marked or unmarked vehicles and remain out of sight during routine school activities. Their primary function is to provide a rapid response option in the event of a threat or act of violence.
Commack’s program is expected to follow that model. District officials emphasized that the guards are not intended to play a disciplinary role or become part of instructional operations.
Other Long Island districts, such as Sachem, have opted not to pursue armed guard programs but continue to review regional trends. The adoption of armed security varies widely, depending on district size, local law enforcement relationships, and public sentiment.
Commack’s implementation will be monitored throughout the school year. Officials plan to assess the program through staff feedback, family input, and standard safety performance reviews. The Board of Education will determine whether to renew or modify the contract during next year’s budget cycle.
Further communication from the district is expected in July and August as training and implementation milestones are reached. According to officials, the district will continue to strike a balance between transparency and security needs to ensure that families and staff have the necessary information without compromising operational procedures.
The first day of school in September will mark the formal launch of the program, capping a summer of training, coordination, and planning. As Commack joins a growing number of districts turning to armed security, school officials say the primary goal remains consistent: to keep students, staff, and school communities safe while maintaining a secure and supportive learning environment.