Two More Shelter-Ins At Elijah G. Stroud Elementary School

PROSPECT HEIGHTS —  Days after Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo confirmed extra surveillance at a local playground in Prospect Heights the adjacent school underwent two more gun-related shelter-ins, including today (Monday, May 6) at 3:45 pm.

A parent, who did not wish to be identified, arrived at P.S. 316 (Elijah G. Stroud Elementary School) and M.S. 353 to pick up their child to find the school was in “shelter-in,” status.

This after police reported another incident caused the school to go into emergency readiness mode, three days earlier on Friday, May 3. This time, students were in the playground at the time, according to sources.

Police confirmed that Friday, May 3 just before 11:30 am officers responded to a call of “shots fired” in the vicinity of 388 St. Marks Avenue within the confines of the 77th precinct.

Upon arrival, police were informed that an unidentified individual fired one shot and struck an unoccupied 2009 Chrysler sedan. There were no reported injuries but the bullet caused damaged to the driver and passenger windows.

These recent events follow a rash of other shelter-ins that resulted in a series of community town halls and parent/neighbor gatherings. Officials responded to the outrage by adding extra surveillance, including additional police presence and lighting.

The two schools that educate about 600 students use the adjacent playground daily for recess. The 1.19-acre playground is equipped with a large colorful jungle gym, swing set, basketball courts, a small track, workout area, and handball courts.

The newly-renovated playground opened mid-February after a year-and-a-half-overhaul. Mayor de Blasio and Councilmember Laurie Cumbo funded the $5 million project. In 1985, Parks officials named the playground for Patrolman Elijah Stroud who was shot in the line of duty in 1972.

Parents say this is the sixth gun-related incident since September that has sent the school that is home to both P.S. 316 (Elijah G. Stroud Elementary School) and M.S. 353 to “shelter-in.”