Metropolis, DCPS proclaims partnership with firm specializing in security doorways, glass

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Town of Jacksonville and Duval County faculty district on Wednesday introduced a brand new plan to maintain children secure within the classroom.

The school district employed a New York company named Armoured One, which focuses on doorways and glass and claims it may well 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 Faculty in Uvalde was closed but not locked. Originally, state police mentioned a instructor left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the trainer truly closed the door, however it didn’t lock routinely prefer it was supposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two lecturers before he was killed by legislation enforcement.

Armoured One, which was based after the Sandy Hook Elementary College capturing, is made up of former navy and legislation enforcement agents who examine mass shooting assaults and seek the advice of on school safety measures.

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“We are going to first work collaboratively to identify where Armoured One resources can best compliment the training already offered, adding their assets to the coaching instruments and assets the district already makes use of,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a news conference at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button immediately below to watch your entire information conference.

The safety glass and movie that Armoured One invented can face up to several hits -- whether that’s bullets, someone ramming into the glass or using different objects or weapons -- with out breaking, which might sluggish an attacker. The doors it makes use of have steel framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can also be identified for providing energetic shooter coaching and assessments. The company issues individual experiences for each building and recommends the most effective tools to use for each facility it’s working with.

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Curry mentioned he plans to search out the funding for that coaching but in addition work with the corporate to perform school safety assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz mentioned his group knows what to look for when it assesses a faculty’s vulnerability.

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

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County School Police Department Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are top of mind daily.

What I wish to be widespread is that our families know that we are ready every day. And that’s what we work in the direction of being a greater faculty district because it pertains to safety and safety,” Green said.

Burton said, “I might say the one word that summarizes every part that we do is vigilance.”

Greene said that the district’s finest defense is its students and employees. She stated 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 proper now, as the partnership continues to be being worked out.

Duval County voters accredited a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the precise purpose of changing ageing faculties, repairing a massive backlog of upkeep points, and bolstering school security.

Right now, 74 projects are within the design section and 15 are under 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 initiatives beneath construction.

Over its 15-year life, the gross sales tax is projected to generate $64.9 million for the specific goal of upgrading college security in DCPS faculties.

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

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The next checklist of safety measures is revealed on the college district’s web site:

Every school has a safety plan and emergency response group.

All college school rooms are locked when occupied by students.

School plans are reviewed with workers every semester.

The district has a extremely educated college police division, giving all schools direct entry to school resource officers.

The district makes use of varied major safety monitoring strategies including digicam surveillance and monitored controlled access systems.

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

All faculties conduct common evacuation drills (fire drills).

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

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