The North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and regional school officials have come together to ensure safe and secure school environments conducive to learning by creating School Threat Assessment and Response System (STARS)
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STARS' mission is to prepare, assess, respond, and strive to prevent threats of violence in our schools through a regional program that recognizes the individual uniqueness and integrity of each community.
NEMLEC makes certain resources available to member communities, including the STARS Response Team
STARS Teams made up of both law enforcement and school personnel who have received specialized training and experience in the assessment of threats of violence in school facilities assist local police and school officials in determining the seriousness of threats and make recommendations for appropriate responses.
Once STARS is initiated, local systems and efforts are augmented by NEMLEC's regionally coordinated resources including access to personnel and experts with specialized skills, planning and training opportunities, communications systems, equipment and advanced technologies, and protocols for program and technique evaluation.
As with all NEMLEC programs and initiatives, STARS provides a mechanism to ensure communication, coordination, and interaction between member agencies in an efficient and cost effective manner with recognition and respect for the need to maintain control at the community level.