Metropolis, DCPS proclaims 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 maintain youngsters safe within the classroom.

The varsity district hired a New York company named Armoured One, which focuses on doorways and glass and claims it may possibly slow down or stop 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. Initially, state police said a instructor left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the instructor truly closed the door, but it surely didn’t lock robotically like it was speculated to. The gunman shot and killed 19 students and two academics earlier than he was killed by legislation enforcement.

Armoured One, which was based after the Sandy Hook Elementary Faculty shooting, is made up of former army and law enforcement agents who research mass capturing attacks and seek the advice of on school safety measures.

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“We'll first work collaboratively to establish where Armoured One assets can best compliment the training already offered, adding their sources to the coaching tools and sources the district already makes use of,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a information convention at City Hall to announce the partnership.

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

The security glass and movie that Armoured One invented can stand up to a number of hits -- whether or not that’s bullets, somebody ramming into the glass or utilizing different objects or weapons -- without breaking, which could gradual an attacker. The doorways it uses have steel framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can be recognized for providing energetic shooter training and assessments. The corporate points individual experiences for every building and recommends the most effective gear to use for every facility it’s working with.

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Curry said he plans to search out the funding for that training but additionally work with the company to perform faculty security assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz said his group is aware of what to look for when it assesses a school’s vulnerability.

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

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

What I wish to be widespread is that our families know that we are ready each and every day. And that’s what we work towards being a better college district as it relates to safety and security,” Inexperienced stated.

Burton stated, “I would say the one word that summarizes all the pieces that we do is vigilance.”

Greene said that the district’s best protection is its students and employees. She said she continues to encourage the varsity group to report anything they see that’s suspicious.

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As far as the associated fee, it’s unclear proper now, because the partnership is still being worked out.

Duval County voters authorised a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the precise objective of changing growing old colleges, repairing a massive backlog of maintenance issues, and bolstering faculty security.

Right now, 74 projects are within the design phase and 15 are underneath development.

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

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

More details about how that money is deliberate to be spent in particular person schools will be found on the school district’s half-cent gross sales tax data dashboard.

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The next checklist of safety measures is published on the varsity district’s website:

Every school has a safety plan and emergency response crew.

All college school rooms are locked when occupied by students.

School plans are reviewed with workers every semester.

The district has a extremely skilled faculty police division, giving all faculties direct entry to high school useful resource officers.

The district utilizes varied main safety monitoring strategies together with digital camera surveillance and monitored managed entry programs.

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

All colleges conduct regular evacuation drills (fireplace drills).

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

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