Metropolis, DCPS declares partnership with company specializing in safety doorways, glass

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville and Duval County school district on Wednesday announced a new plan to maintain youngsters protected within the classroom.

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

These are crucial factors after police in Texas determined the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary College in Uvalde was closed but not locked. Originally, state police mentioned a trainer left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the instructor actually closed the door, nevertheless it didn’t lock robotically like it was presupposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two teachers before he was killed by law enforcement.

Armoured One, which was founded after the Sandy Hook Elementary School taking pictures, is made up of former army and law enforcement agents who examine mass taking pictures attacks and consult on faculty safety measures.

Advert

“We are going to first work collaboratively to identify the place Armoured One sources can greatest compliment the training already offered, adding their resources to the coaching tools and assets the district already makes use of,” 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 watch your complete information conference.

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

Armoured One can be identified for offering active shooter training and assessments. The company issues individual reports for every constructing and recommends the best gear to make use of for every facility it’s working with.

Advert

Curry mentioned he plans to find the funding for that coaching but also work with the corporate to perform faculty security assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz mentioned his staff knows what to search for when it assesses a college’s vulnerability.

“They’re looking at methods to slow down an attacker and speed up police response,” Czyz stated. “How do we sluggish him down -- after which speed up the response that would cease him.”

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

What I need to be common is that our households know that we are prepared every day. And that’s what we work towards being a better school district because it pertains to security and safety,” Green mentioned.

Burton stated, “I'd say the one word that summarizes every little thing that we do is vigilance.”

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

Advert

As far as the fee, it’s unclear proper now, as the partnership continues to be being labored out.

Duval County voters accredited a half-cent sales tax in November 2020 with the particular purpose of replacing getting old colleges, repairing an enormous backlog of maintenance points, and bolstering faculty safety.

Right now, 74 initiatives are in the design part and 15 are beneath development.

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

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

Extra details about how that cash is planned to be spent in particular person faculties will be found on the school district’s half-cent sales tax information dashboard.

Ad

The next record of security measures is published on the varsity district’s website:

Each school has a safety plan and emergency response workforce.

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

College plans are reviewed with staff each semester.

The district has a highly trained college police department, giving all faculties direct access to high school resource officers.

The district utilizes numerous major safety monitoring strategies including camera surveillance and monitored controlled access programs.

All faculties and district offices have a District Emergency Communications Network radio with direct access to high school police and district management. College Police have direct entry to JSO.

All schools conduct common evacuation drills (hearth drills).

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

Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.