Update: Police To Have Increased Presence at Boston Schools Following Newtown Shooting

[UPDATED Friday, 5:21 p.m.]

There will be more uniformed Boston Police officers patrolling in and around Boston schools the next coming days in response to .

Read the latest on the shooting at Newtown Patch.

Boston Police Commissioner posted the following statement on BPDnews.com:

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the victims and the families of those affected by the Newtown, Connecticut shooting. I have been in touch with the Superintendent of Boston Public Schools and the Chief of the Transit Police. Although there is no connection to the Boston area, the shooting is disturbing. Accordingly, we will be increasing uniformed police patrols in and around schools over the next several days."

Dr. Carol Johnson, superintendent of Boston Public Schools, said that staff is ready to support students next week.

"All of us in the Boston Public Schools send our very deepest condolences to the families affected by today’s tragedy in Connecticut. It is simply beyond comprehension," Johnson said in an official announcement. "We know our children will have many questions about what happened and why. Even though there are no simple answers, our teams are in place to ensure Boston’s teachers and schools are ready to support students when they return to class on Monday.”

When asked what system Boston Public Schools have in place to help ensure the safety of students, spokesman Matthew Wilder said, "Boston Public Schools has strong security and safety procedures in place, but it's not appropriate for us to discuss them in detail."

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino issued a statement Friday afternoon expressing his sadness and frustration about the incident, calling for increased gun control.

"As a parent and grandparent, I am overcome with both grief and outrage by the tragedy in Newtown, CT. This unspeakable act of violence will forever imprint this day in our hearts and minds. My heart goes out to the families impacted by this senseless tragedy and the many others we have recently witnessed across the United States," Meninon said.

"As a mayor who has witnessed too many lives forever altered by gun violence, it is my responsibility to fight for action. Today’s tragedy reminds us that now is the time for action. Innocent children will now never attend a prom, never play in a big game, never step foot on a college campus. Now is the time for a national policy on guns that takes the loopholes out of the laws, the automatic weapons out of our neighborhoods and the tragedies like today out of our future."