Gov. Jon S. Corzine last week announced the creation of a School Security Task Force to evaluate security measures at New Jersey schools. Dick Cañas, director of the state department of Homeland Security and Preparedness, will chair the task force. The group will represent state, county and local government as well as the education and law enforcement communities.

Creation of the task force followed school shootings in Lancaster County, PA and other locations. According to Corzine, the task force will build on the foundation set by former Governor Codey, who launched the School Safety Initiative in 2005. That effort resulted in safety audits in schools throughout the state.