Birmingham area schools ask for more police patrols

MIAMI (AP) — Schools around the country are reviewing security plans and in some cases adding extra law enforcement patrols to prepare for the first day of classes since a shooting massacre at an elementary school in Connecticut. Districts in Florida, Georgia and Alabama are among those asking local law enforcement to add patrols. Many stressed that they have safety plans that are regularly tested. A gunman shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Friday and killed 26 people before shooting himself. The dead include 20 children ages 6 and 7. In Maryland's suburbs outside Washington, Montgomery County Public Schools will have counselors available at each school Monday to help provide support. Officials in South Carolina's largest school district sent a note to parents Friday ensuring they have safety plans that are regularly tested for a number of possible events.