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SoCal School Districts Take Precautionary Measures Following Conn. Shooting

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Southland school districts are taking precautionary measures in the wake of the massive shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that left 28 people dead, including 20 children.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy and LAUSD School Police Chief Steve Zipperman released a statement assuring parents that the safety of students is the district's priority.

Officials said they plan to increase police presence to reduce community fears following Friday's massacre, even though they have more than 200 officers at various schools every day.

The Los Angeles Police Department and other law enforcement agencies announced they will also provide extra patrol in LA-area schools.

Pasadena Unified School District officials said that although there are no threats to any PUSD campuses, all principals have been instructed to take certain measures to ensure student safety.

"PUSD recognizes the tremendous trust that parents place in us when they send their children to school each day. We take this responsibility very seriously. I want to reassure students and parents that our schools are safe," said Chief Academic Officer and Administrator in Charge, Dr. Brian McDonald.

Santa Ana Unified School District authorities reminded parents that they have their own police department.

"We have police patrol 24 hours a day and the benefit of that is there's resources there for immediate attention," said SAUSD spokeswoman, Deidra Powell.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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