City, DCPS proclaims partnership with company specializing in safety doorways, glass

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

The school district hired a New York company named Armoured One, which specializes in doors and glass and claims it might probably slow down or forestall a shooter from getting right into a classroom.

Those are crucial elements after police in Texas determined the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde was closed but not locked. Initially, state police mentioned a instructor left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the trainer actually closed the door, however it didn’t lock mechanically like it was presupposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 college students and two lecturers earlier than he was killed by law enforcement.

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

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“We'll first work collaboratively to identify the place Armoured One resources can greatest praise the coaching already offered, adding their sources to the coaching instruments and assets the district already uses,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said Wednesday afternoon at a news convention at City Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button straight under to observe the entire news conference.

The safety glass and film that Armoured One invented can withstand several hits -- whether or not that’s bullets, somebody ramming into the glass or using different objects or weapons -- without breaking, which could sluggish an attacker. The doorways it uses have metallic framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can also be identified for providing lively shooter training and assessments. The company issues individual reviews for each building and recommends the perfect gear to make use of for every facility it’s working with.

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

“They’re taking a look at ways to decelerate an attacker and speed up police response,” Czyz mentioned. “How can we sluggish him down -- after which pace up the response that may cease him.”

Duval County Public Colleges Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene and Duval County School Police Department Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are high of thoughts every day.

What I want to be widespread is that our families know that we're prepared every day. And that’s what we work in the direction of being a better college district as it relates to safety and security,” Inexperienced mentioned.

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

Greene said that the district’s finest protection is its students and staff. She stated she continues to encourage the school community to report something they see that’s suspicious.

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So far as the price, it’s unclear right now, as the partnership continues to be being labored out.

Duval County voters authorised a half-cent gross sales tax in November 2020 with the precise goal of replacing growing older colleges, repairing a large backlog of upkeep issues, and bolstering college security.

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

As of January 2022, the tax has generated more than $118 million dollars, with more than $5.7 million already spent or allocated to tasks under construction.

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

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

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The next checklist of security measures is published on the school district’s web site:

Each school has a security plan and emergency response team.

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

School plans are reviewed with staff every semester.

The district has a highly educated school police department, giving all faculties direct access to high school resource officers.

The district makes use of various major security monitoring strategies including camera surveillance and monitored managed entry systems.

All colleges and district offices have a District Emergency Communications Community radio with direct entry to school police and district management. College Police have direct entry to JSO.

All colleges conduct regular evacuation drills (fire drills).

All schools conduct regular emergency and lockdown (“code red” and “code yellow”) drills.

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