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

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

The varsity district hired a New York firm named Armoured One, which focuses on doorways and glass and claims it could possibly slow down or stop 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 School in Uvalde was closed but not locked. Originally, state police mentioned a teacher left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the trainer actually closed the door, however it didn’t lock routinely like it was presupposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two teachers earlier than he was killed by legislation enforcement.

Armoured One, which was based after the Sandy Hook Elementary Faculty capturing, is made up of former army and law enforcement agents who examine mass capturing assaults and consult on school safety measures.

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“We'll first work collaboratively to establish where Armoured One assets can best compliment the coaching already supplied, adding their sources to the coaching instruments and resources the district already uses,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said Wednesday afternoon at a information conference at City Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button directly below to look at the entire information conference.

The safety glass and movie that Armoured One invented can withstand several hits -- whether that’s bullets, somebody ramming into the glass or using different objects or weapons -- with out breaking, which may sluggish an attacker. The doorways it makes use of have metallic framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One is also recognized for providing lively shooter coaching and assessments. The corporate issues particular person reports for each building and recommends the most effective gear to make use of for each facility it’s working with.

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Curry mentioned he plans to seek out the funding for that coaching but in addition work with the company to perform college security assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz said his staff is aware of what to search for when it assesses a college’s vulnerability.

“They’re looking at ways to slow down an attacker and pace up police response,” Czyz mentioned. “How can we slow him down -- after which pace up the response that will stop him.”

Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County School Police Division Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are high of mind day by day.

What I need to be common is that our families know that we're ready every day. And that’s what we work in the direction of being a better school district because it pertains to safety and security,” Inexperienced mentioned.

Burton stated, “I'd say the one phrase that summarizes every little thing that we do is vigilance.”

Greene stated that the district’s best protection is its college students and staff. She stated she continues to encourage the school neighborhood to report anything they see that’s suspicious.

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As far as the fee, it’s unclear right now, as the partnership continues to be being worked out.

Duval County voters accepted a half-cent sales tax in November 2020 with the precise goal of changing growing older colleges, repairing an enormous backlog of maintenance points, and bolstering faculty security.

Right now, 74 tasks are within the design phase and 15 are below development.

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

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

Extra details about how that cash is planned to be spent in individual colleges might be found on the varsity district’s half-cent sales tax data dashboard.

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The following listing of security measures is revealed on the school district’s web site:

Every school has a safety plan and emergency response crew.

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

Faculty plans are reviewed with staff every semester.

The district has a highly skilled college police department, giving all faculties direct entry to school useful resource officers.

The district makes use of numerous major security monitoring methods together with digicam surveillance and monitored controlled entry methods.

All schools and district workplaces have a District Emergency Communications Community radio with direct access to high school police and district management. School Police have direct access to JSO.

All faculties conduct common evacuation drills (fire drills).

All colleges conduct common emergency and lockdown (“code pink” and “code yellow”) drills.

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