Metropolis, DCPS broadcasts partnership with firm specializing in security doors, glass

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

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

These are essential components after police in Texas determined the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde was closed but not locked. Initially, state police stated a trainer left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the instructor truly closed the door, nevertheless it didn’t lock automatically like it was imagined to. The gunman shot and killed 19 students and two lecturers before he was killed by law enforcement.

Armoured One, which was founded after the Sandy Hook Elementary College capturing, is made up of former army and legislation enforcement brokers who research mass shooting assaults and seek the advice of on college safety measures.

Advert

“We'll first work collaboratively to identify where Armoured One sources can greatest praise the coaching already offered, adding their assets to the coaching tools and sources 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 straight below to observe all the news conference.

The security glass and movie that Armoured One invented can withstand several hits -- whether that’s bullets, somebody ramming into the glass or utilizing different objects or weapons -- with out breaking, which might gradual an attacker. The doorways it uses have metal framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can be known for providing lively shooter training and assessments. The company points particular person reviews for every building and recommends the very best equipment to make use of for every facility it’s working with.

Ad

Curry said he plans to seek out the funding for that coaching but also work with the company to perform school security assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz said his staff knows what to look for when it assesses a faculty’s vulnerability.

“They’re taking a look at ways to decelerate an attacker and pace up police response,” Czyz said. “How can we gradual him down -- and then pace up the response that would cease him.”

Duval County Public Colleges Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County College Police Department Chief Greg Burton say safety and security are high of mind day-after-day.

What I need to be frequent is that our households know that we are ready every day. And that’s what we work in the direction of being a greater school district as it relates to security and security,” Green said.

Burton stated, “I would say the one phrase that summarizes every little thing that we do is vigilance.”

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

Advert

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

Duval County voters authorized a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the precise function of changing getting old schools, repairing a large backlog of maintenance points, and bolstering college safety.

Right now, 74 tasks are within the design section and 15 are under building.

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

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

More information about how that cash is planned to be spent in particular person faculties could be discovered on the school district’s half-cent sales tax information dashboard.

Advert

The next record of safety measures is revealed on the college district’s website:

Each school has a security plan and emergency response group.

All faculty school rooms are locked when occupied by college students.

College plans are reviewed with staff every semester.

The district has a extremely skilled school police department, giving all faculties direct access to highschool resource officers.

The district makes use of varied main safety monitoring methods including digicam surveillance and monitored controlled entry programs.

All schools and district places of work have a District Emergency Communications Community radio with direct entry to school police and district leadership. College Police have direct entry to JSO.

All colleges conduct common 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.