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

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville and Duval County faculty district on Wednesday introduced a new plan to keep youngsters protected in the classroom.

The college district hired a New York firm named Armoured One, which specializes in doorways and glass and claims it can decelerate or prevent a shooter from getting right into a classroom.

These are crucial components after police in Texas decided the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde was closed however not locked. Originally, state police stated a trainer left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the teacher actually closed the door, however it didn’t lock automatically prefer it was alleged to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two lecturers earlier than he was killed by law enforcement.

Armoured One, which was founded after the Sandy Hook Elementary College capturing, is made up of former navy and law enforcement agents who research mass shooting attacks and consult on college security measures.

Advert

“We will first work collaboratively to identify where Armoured One sources can best compliment the coaching already provided, including their resources to the coaching instruments and resources the district already uses,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry mentioned Wednesday afternoon at a news conference at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button immediately beneath to watch your complete information convention.

The safety glass and film that Armoured One invented can stand up to a number of hits -- whether that’s bullets, somebody ramming into the glass or using different objects or weapons -- without breaking, which might sluggish an attacker. The doorways it uses have metallic framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can be identified for providing energetic shooter coaching and assessments. The corporate issues particular person reports for each building and recommends one of the best tools to make use of for every facility it’s working with.

Ad

Curry said he plans to search out the funding for that coaching but in addition work with the corporate to carry out college security assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz stated his staff is aware of what to look for when it assesses a school’s vulnerability.

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

Duval County Public Faculties Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County School Police Division Chief Greg Burton say safety and security are prime of thoughts every day.

What I need to be common is that our families know that we are prepared each day. And that’s what we work in the direction of being a better college district because it pertains to security and security,” Inexperienced mentioned.

Burton stated, “I might say the one word that summarizes everything that we do is vigilance.”

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

Advert

As far as the cost, it’s unclear right now, because the partnership remains to be being labored out.

Duval County voters approved a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the particular function of replacing getting older colleges, repairing a massive backlog of maintenance points, and bolstering faculty security.

Proper now, 74 projects are in the design section and 15 are under building.

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

Over its 15-year life, the gross sales tax is projected to generate $64.9 million for the particular purpose of upgrading school safety in DCPS schools.

More information about how that money is planned to be spent in particular person colleges might be found on the school district’s half-cent sales tax info dashboard.

Advert

The next list of safety measures is revealed on the college district’s web site:

Each faculty has a security plan and emergency response group.

All college school rooms are locked when occupied by students.

School plans are reviewed with employees each semester.

The district has a highly educated college police department, giving all colleges direct entry to highschool resource officers.

The district makes use of numerous main safety monitoring methods including camera surveillance and monitored controlled entry techniques.

All faculties and district workplaces have a District Emergency Communications Community radio with direct access to high school police and district leadership. Faculty Police have direct access to JSO.

All schools conduct regular evacuation drills (hearth drills).

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

Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.