Police to increase patrols near Boston schools after CT shooting

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) Boston Police plan to step up patrols in and around schools after a mass shooting inside a Connecticut elementary school.

Police Commissioner Ed Davis released a statement on Friday afternoon regarding plans to step up patrols.

In the statement, Davis expresses his sympathies for the families and victims impacted by the shooting.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims and the families of those impacted by the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. I have been in touch with the Superintendent of Boston Public Schools and the Chief of the Transit Police. Although there is no connection to the Boston area, the shooting is disturbing. Accordingly, we will be increasing uniformed police patrols in and around schools over the next several days," reads the statement.

Supertintendent Carol R. Johnson also expressed her condolences in a statement.

"All of us in the Boston Public Schools send our very deepest condolences to the families affected by today's tragedy in Connecticut. It is simply beyond comprehension," says Johnson. "We know our children will have many questions about what happened and why. Even though there are no simple answers, our teams are in place to ensure Boston's teachers and schools are ready to support students when they return to class on Monday."

Boston Mayor Tom Menino joined the masses on social media in expressing his sadness over the mass shooting.

"Our city grieves for all those in Newtown, CT, they are in our thoughts and prayers during this most tragic time," the mayor wrote on Twitter.

A gunman opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday morning, killing 26 people, including 20 children. Newtown, CT is about 60 miles north of New York City and nearly 150 miles south of Boston.

Cox Media Group