Woman arrested with a knife outside Long Branch Middle School

Long Branch – Wednesday afternoon as High School students were dismissing police responded to the area between the High School and Middle School campus on a report of a woman yelling who possibly could have been armed with a knife.

“At approximately 2:05 pm the Long Branch Police received a call from the Middle School regarding a woman with a knife near the school,” said Jason Roebuck, Director of Public Safety for the City of Long Branch. Officers are normally on routine patrol of the schools during arrival and dismissal so they quickly responded. “Immediately they were directed to the woman by alert staff members of the school. The school staff members kept the woman in sight the entire time, and quickly called police.”

Roebuck stated that Officer Lance Fanning was the first responding patrolman. “The woman, is identified as Robin Ann Brooks, and she was holding a small folding knife, which was hidden in her boot when Officer Fanning arrived,” said Roebuck.

Officers questioned Brooks, who they say live in Long Branch, and then placed her under arrest. “She was charged with Possession of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Criminal Trespass,” added Roebuck. Brooks was processed at Long Branch Police headquarters and then released on a summons and checked into the Crisis Unit at Monmouth Medical Center.

“At no time were any students in danger during this event, and because of the alert and quick response by the school employees and the police department, this crisis were handled quickly and professionally,” said Roebuck. “The Long Branch Board of Education and the City of Long Branch Department of Public Safety will continue to work together and train together to ensure the safety of the students and staff of our district.”

Long Branch Public Schools sent out a “robo-call” to all parents of Middle and High School student’s yesterday afternoon informing them of an incident occurring on the campus which was quickly handled by the Long Branch Police Department. If the parents had additional questions they were advised to contact the principals of the schools.

Long Branch Middle School where a woman was arrested on December 4 for possession of a knife.