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

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The town of Jacksonville and Duval County college district on Wednesday announced a brand new plan to maintain children secure within the classroom.

The college district employed a New York company named Armoured One, which focuses on doors and glass and claims it might slow down or prevent a shooter from getting right into a classroom.

These are crucial components after police in Texas determined the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde was closed however not locked. Originally, state police mentioned a instructor left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the instructor actually closed the door, nevertheless it didn’t lock automatically like it was supposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two academics earlier than he was killed by legislation enforcement.

Armoured One, which was based after the Sandy Hook Elementary School capturing, is made up of former army and legislation enforcement brokers who examine mass capturing assaults and seek the advice of on faculty security measures.

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“We'll first work collaboratively to establish the place Armoured One resources can best praise the coaching already supplied, including their assets to the coaching instruments and assets the district already makes use of,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a news conference at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

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

The safety glass and film that Armoured One invented can stand up to a number of hits -- whether or not that’s bullets, somebody ramming into the glass or using different objects or weapons -- without breaking, which may sluggish an attacker. The doors it makes use of have metal framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One is also known for providing lively shooter coaching and assessments. The company issues individual stories for every constructing and recommends the best tools to make use of for each facility it’s working with.

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Curry said he plans to find the funding for that training but in addition work with the company to carry out school safety assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz mentioned his workforce is aware of what to look for when it assesses a school’s vulnerability.

“They’re looking at methods to decelerate an attacker and speed up police response,” Czyz mentioned. “How can we sluggish him down -- after which speed up the response that might stop him.”

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County School Police Department Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are high of thoughts on daily basis.

What I need to be frequent is that our households know that we're prepared each and every day. And that’s what we work towards being a greater school district as it pertains to safety and safety,” Inexperienced said.

Burton said, “I might say the one word that summarizes all the things that we do is vigilance.”

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

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As far as the cost, it’s unclear proper now, as the partnership remains to be being worked out.

Duval County voters approved a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the particular goal of replacing aging schools, repairing a massive backlog of upkeep points, and bolstering school safety.

Right now, 74 initiatives are within the design part and 15 are under construction.

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 below construction.

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

Extra information about how that money is planned to be spent in individual faculties might be found on the college district’s half-cent gross sales tax info dashboard.

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The next listing of safety measures is printed on the varsity district’s web site:

Every school has a safety plan and emergency response crew.

All faculty classrooms are locked when occupied by students.

School plans are reviewed with staff each semester.

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

The district makes use of numerous major security monitoring strategies including camera surveillance and monitored controlled access systems.

All schools and district workplaces have a District Emergency Communications Network radio with direct access to high school police and district management. School Police have direct entry to JSO.

All faculties conduct regular evacuation drills (fireplace drills).

All colleges conduct regular emergency and lockdown (“code red” and “code yellow”) drills.

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