Police told to patrol No. Prov. schools

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- North Providence police officers have been asked to walk through schools on their patrols each day as a safety precaution.

The Providence Journal reports that Sgt. Diana Perez, who heads the North Providence Police Department's community policing unit, says the policy was put in place last month following a shooting rampage that killed 20 children and six educators in a Connecticut grade school.

Perez said Wednesday that the once-a-day school visits will help patrol officers learn the floor plans of the schools on their beats and reassure children.

She says police are trying to make sure the children know their school is safe and that police hope to build relationships with the youngsters.