City, DCPS pronounces partnership with firm specializing in security doorways, glass

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The town of Jacksonville and Duval County school district on Wednesday announced a brand new plan to keep kids secure in the classroom.

The school district employed a New York firm named Armoured One, which makes a speciality of doorways and glass and claims it could possibly decelerate or prevent a shooter from getting into a classroom.

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

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

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“We'll first work collaboratively to identify where Armoured One resources can finest compliment the training already supplied, including their resources to the training instruments and resources the district already makes use of,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a news conference at Metropolis Hall to announce the partnership.

Press the play button straight below to watch all the news convention.

The security glass and film that Armoured One invented can withstand a number of hits -- whether that’s bullets, someone ramming into the glass or using other objects or weapons -- without breaking, which could sluggish an attacker. The doors it uses have steel framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can also be recognized for offering lively shooter training and assessments. The company issues particular person reviews for every building and recommends one of the best tools to make use of for every facility it’s working with.

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

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

Duval County Public Colleges Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County College Police Division Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are prime of mind daily.

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

Burton stated, “I'd say the one word that summarizes all the things that we do is vigilance.”

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

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

Duval County voters permitted a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the specific purpose of replacing getting older colleges, repairing a massive backlog of upkeep points, and bolstering school security.

Proper now, 74 initiatives are within the design section and 15 are underneath building.

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

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

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

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The next checklist of security measures is printed on the college district’s website:

Every school has a safety plan and emergency response staff.

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

College plans are reviewed with staff every semester.

The district has a highly educated faculty police division, giving all colleges direct access to school resource officers.

The district utilizes various main security monitoring methods including camera surveillance and monitored managed access systems.

All colleges and district offices have a District Emergency Communications Network radio with direct entry to high school police and district leadership. School Police have direct entry to JSO.

All faculties conduct common evacuation drills (fireplace drills).

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

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