Turning grief into action for public safety

Lori Alhadeff from Hillsborough, NJ

Governor Murphy fought for Alyssa’s Law before her name was ever attached. He has made it his mission to make New Jersey a state that is safer for us all, and he’s never forgotten the people that his policies impact. Because of Governor Murphy, we now have a roadmap for states across the country to increase school safety, and a way to honor my daughter we lost too soon.

Governor Phil Murphy signed Alyssa’s Law in 2019, a bill named after my oldest daughter. Alyssa was just a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, when she was senselessly murdered by another student. She was a vivacious child, and even to this day, I still imagine that she’ll walk through the doors of our home, back from soccer practice and ready to spend the evening with our family.

After Alyssa’s death, I turned my grief and anger into action. That same year, I ran for and won a seat on the Broward County School Board, determined to make schools in my own neighborhood safer. My husband and I began to advocate for school and public safety legislation across the country through our non-profit, Make Our Schools Safe.

Make Our Schools Safe is dedicated to protecting students and teachers, and Alyssa’s Law is our cornerstone legislative priority. The law calls for the installation of silent panic alarms in schools that directly link to law enforcement. In true emergency situations, like the one in Parkland, these alarms will make sure law enforcement can get on the scene as quickly as possible to address any threats and help victims.

Governor Murphy has been a staunch supporter of gun safety from day one, and he has backed up his promises with action. Like so many of us, especially fellow parents, the Governor has watched tragedy after tragedy befalls our schools, places of worship, entertainment venues, and even our shopping centers. While few leaders have stepped up to address the issue, Governor Murphy is not one of them.

When we first started to advocate for increased school safety, I was connected with Governor Murphy and his team through a fellow New Jerseyan and public safety advocate, Lisa Yakomin, who founded Keep NJ Safe. She told us about a panic button law in the State Legislature that Governor Murphy had been working to pass, and that he wanted to name the law after Alyssa.

What struck me most, outside of Governor Murphy’s dedication to passing Alyssa’s Law, was the compassion and empathy he showed us at the signing of the bill in 2019. From the moment we were introduced, I realized that he was a leader who truly cared about his work and passion to help people. I appreciated the love he showed me and my husband as we worked to pass Alyssa’s Law through the Legislature. As a grieving mother, to know that someone in his position really cares and wants to implement policies that will save students’ lives, is inspiring to see.

I’m proud to say that Alyssa’s Law is now enacted in both New Jersey and Florida, the states where Alyssa spent her life. We have our sights set on every state in the nation, but New Jersey is absolutely leading the way. Governor Murphy has championed and enacted numerous bills that are making our communities safer. He didn’t stop at Alyssa’s Law and he won’t stop until we end gun violence. I’m grateful for Governor Murphy’s continued leadership and grateful Alyssa’s Law will keep students safe in New Jersey for years to come.