An Ocean County teacher has been charged following the discovery of a knife inside a school classroom, officials said today.
According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Kevin J. Hasbrouck, 36, of Point Pleasant Beach, has been charged with a fourth-degree weapons offense after authorities say he was found in possession of a knife while working at a school in Neptune Township.
On February 3, an officer from the Neptune Township Police Department responded to Neptune Middle School for a reported weapons investigation. Authorities say the investigation led to the discovery of a large stainless-steel knife with a black handle inside a desk drawer assigned to Hasbrouck.
Officials have not publicly indicated why the knife was in the classroom.
While the reason for the possession remains unclear, the case raises a broader question: should teachers be allowed to carry weapons for self-defense on school grounds?
New Jersey law currently imposes strict limits on weapons in schools. Supporters of arming teachers argue that properly trained educators could help protect students in emergency situations, while opponents warn of potential risks and unintended consequences.
We want to hear from our readers: Should teachers be armed?
Absolutely not. Just post signs for all intruders that weapons are prohibited on these premises and that the teachers are unarmed. That should do it.
One thing is certain, never leave weapons unattended. Leaving a large knife in a classroom desk? Are you kidding me?
All educators should be trained in the use of firearms, and should be concealing weapons for the protection of the students, and in cases of dangerous urban schools, FROM the students.
Teachers should be armed, just like every other person in a polite society. This “gun free zone” is just an advertisement for easy pickings for persons with criminal intent.
Teachers have to be trained what to do in an emergency and where to hide and protect their students untill help arrives if they actually carried guns, they would not be able to help their students get away and it would cause more chaos however I do believe besides having armed security guards there should be some people in the school that carry and don’t have the responsibility of the actual students in the classroom