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

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

The school district hired a New York company named Armoured One, which makes a speciality of doors and glass and claims it may decelerate or forestall a shooter from getting right into a classroom.

These are essential factors after police in Texas determined the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary College in Uvalde was closed however not locked. Originally, state police said a trainer left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the teacher really closed the door, however it didn’t lock mechanically like it was presupposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two lecturers earlier than he was killed by regulation enforcement.

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

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“We are going to first work collaboratively to identify the place Armoured One sources can finest compliment the training already provided, including their assets to the coaching tools and sources the district already makes use of,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry mentioned Wednesday afternoon at a information conference at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button immediately under to watch the entire news conference.

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

Armoured One is also recognized for offering lively shooter training and assessments. The corporate points particular person reviews for every constructing and recommends the perfect equipment to use for every facility it’s working with.

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

“They’re looking at methods to slow down an attacker and velocity up police response,” Czyz mentioned. “How do we sluggish him down -- and then pace up the response that will stop him.”

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

What I need to be frequent is that our households know that we're ready each day. And that’s what we work in the direction of being a greater school district because it pertains to safety and safety,” Inexperienced said.

Burton mentioned, “I would say the one phrase that summarizes all the things 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 school neighborhood to report something they see that’s suspicious.

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

Duval County voters authorized a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the precise function of changing aging faculties, repairing a massive backlog of upkeep issues, and bolstering faculty safety.

Right now, 74 tasks are within the design part 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 allotted to projects below building.

Over its 15-year life, the sales tax is projected to generate $64.9 million for the precise purpose of upgrading faculty safety in DCPS faculties.

Extra details about how that money is planned to be spent in individual schools can be discovered on the school district’s half-cent gross sales tax info dashboard.

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The following record of safety measures is published on the varsity district’s web site:

Every faculty has a security plan and emergency response group.

All faculty classrooms are locked when occupied by students.

College plans are reviewed with employees every semester.

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

The district makes use of numerous main safety monitoring methods together with camera surveillance and monitored controlled access techniques.

All schools and district workplaces 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 (fireplace drills).

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

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