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

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

The varsity district employed a New York company named Armoured One, which specializes in doorways and glass and claims it could possibly slow down or prevent a shooter from getting right into a classroom.

These are crucial components 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 instructor really closed the door, nevertheless it didn’t lock mechanically like it was presupposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 students and two academics before he was killed by legislation enforcement.

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

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“We will first work collaboratively to determine where Armoured One resources can finest praise the coaching already provided, including their assets to the training instruments and assets the district already uses,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a information conference at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

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The safety glass and movie that Armoured One invented can stand up to several hits -- whether or not that’s bullets, someone ramming into the glass or using other objects or weapons -- with out breaking, which might sluggish an attacker. The doorways it uses have metal framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

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

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Curry mentioned he plans to search out the funding for that coaching but also work with the corporate to perform faculty safety assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz said his crew is aware of what to search for when it assesses a college’s vulnerability.

“They’re looking at ways to decelerate an attacker and velocity up police response,” Czyz stated. “How do we sluggish him down -- after which velocity up the response that will cease him.”

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

What I wish to be widespread is that our households know that we are ready every day. And that’s what we work in direction of being a greater school district because it relates to security and security,” Green said.

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

Greene mentioned that the district’s greatest protection is its students and employees. She mentioned she continues to encourage the school community to report anything they see that’s suspicious.

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

Duval County voters accredited a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the precise goal of replacing growing old faculties, repairing an enormous backlog of upkeep issues, and bolstering faculty safety.

Right now, 74 initiatives are in the design part and 15 are below building.

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

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

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

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The next listing of security measures is revealed on the varsity district’s web site:

Every school has a security plan and emergency response crew.

All college school rooms are locked when occupied by students.

School plans are reviewed with employees each semester.

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

The district makes use of numerous major security monitoring methods together with digital camera surveillance and monitored managed access techniques.

All schools and district workplaces have a District Emergency Communications Network radio with direct access to school police and district leadership. Faculty Police have direct access to JSO.

All schools conduct regular evacuation drills (fireplace drills).

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

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