Metropolis, DCPS proclaims partnership with firm specializing in security doorways, glass

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Town of Jacksonville and Duval County faculty district on Wednesday announced a brand new plan to maintain children safe in the classroom.

The school district hired a New York firm named Armoured One, which focuses on doorways and glass and claims it might slow down or forestall a shooter from getting into a classroom.

Those are crucial elements after police in Texas decided the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde was closed but not locked. Initially, state police said a trainer left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the instructor truly closed the door, nevertheless it didn’t lock routinely like it was supposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two lecturers before he was killed by legislation enforcement.

Armoured One, which was based after the Sandy Hook Elementary Faculty taking pictures, is made up of former military and regulation enforcement brokers who study mass taking pictures attacks and seek the advice of on school security measures.

Ad

“We'll first work collaboratively to identify the place Armoured One resources can best praise the coaching already offered, adding their assets to the coaching instruments and sources the district already uses,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a information conference at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button straight beneath to look at your entire news convention.

The security glass and film that Armoured One invented can face up to a number of hits -- whether that’s bullets, someone ramming into the glass or utilizing other objects or weapons -- without breaking, which could gradual an attacker. The doors it makes use of have steel framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can also be known for providing energetic shooter coaching and assessments. The corporate issues individual stories for every constructing and recommends the best gear to use for each facility it’s working with.

Ad

Curry said he plans to search out the funding for that training but in addition work with the company to perform faculty security assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz stated his crew knows what to look for when it assesses a faculty’s vulnerability.

“They’re taking a look at methods to slow down an attacker and speed up police response,” Czyz mentioned. “How can we gradual him down -- and then velocity up the response that will stop him.”

Duval County Public Colleges Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County Faculty Police Department Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are high of thoughts each day.

What I wish to be frequent is that our families know that we're ready every day. And that’s what we work towards being a greater faculty district as it pertains to security and safety,” Inexperienced said.

Burton said, “I'd say the one word that summarizes all the pieces that we do is vigilance.”

Greene mentioned that the district’s best protection is its students and workers. She said she continues to encourage the college neighborhood to report something they see that’s suspicious.

Advert

As far as the price, it’s unclear right now, because the partnership is still being labored out.

Duval County voters authorised a half-cent sales tax in November 2020 with the precise function of changing growing old faculties, repairing a massive backlog of upkeep points, and bolstering college security.

Proper now, 74 tasks are in the design phase and 15 are underneath development.

As of January 2022, the tax has generated greater than $118 million dollars, with more than $5.7 million already spent or allocated to tasks under development.

Over its 15-year life, the gross sales tax is projected to generate $64.9 million for the precise function of upgrading college security in DCPS schools.

More details about how that cash is planned to be spent in particular person faculties may be found on the college district’s half-cent sales tax info dashboard.

Ad

The next list of safety measures is published on the varsity district’s web site:

Every college has a safety plan and emergency response team.

All faculty lecture rooms are locked when occupied by students.

College plans are reviewed with workers every semester.

The district has a highly educated school police division, giving all schools direct entry to high school useful resource officers.

The district makes use of varied major safety monitoring methods including camera surveillance and monitored managed access techniques.

All schools and district places of work have a District Emergency Communications Community radio with direct access to highschool police and district management. School Police have direct access to JSO.

All colleges conduct common evacuation drills (fire drills).

All faculties conduct common emergency and lockdown (“code red” and “code yellow”) drills.

Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.