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

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Town of Jacksonville and Duval County college district on Wednesday announced a brand new plan to keep youngsters protected in the classroom.

The school district employed a New York company named Armoured One, which focuses on doors and glass and claims it may well slow down or stop a shooter from getting into a classroom.

These are essential factors after police in Texas determined the door accessed by the gunman at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde was closed however not locked. Initially, state police said a trainer left the door propped open. Investigators concluded the instructor actually closed the door, but it didn’t lock routinely prefer it was supposed to. The gunman shot and killed 19 students and two lecturers before he was killed by regulation enforcement.

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

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“We'll first work collaboratively to identify where Armoured One resources can greatest praise the coaching already provided, including their resources to the training instruments and assets the district already makes use of,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry stated Wednesday afternoon at a news convention at Metropolis Corridor to announce the partnership.

Press the play button directly below to watch all the information conference.

The security glass and film that Armoured One invented can face up to a number of hits -- whether that’s bullets, someone ramming into the glass or using other objects or weapons -- without breaking, which could sluggish an attacker. The doorways it uses have metal framing, latch bolts and deadbolts.

Armoured One can be recognized for offering active shooter training and assessments. The corporate points particular person stories for every constructing and recommends the best gear to use for every facility it’s working with.

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Curry said he plans to find the funding for that coaching but also work with the company to perform school safety assessments. Armoured One CEO Tom Czyz mentioned his team is aware of what to look for when it assesses a school’s vulnerability.

“They’re ways to decelerate an attacker and speed 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 College Police Department Chief Greg Burton say security and safety are high of mind on daily basis.

What I want to be widespread is that our families know that we are prepared every day. And that’s what we work towards being a better faculty district as it pertains to security and security,” Green mentioned.

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

Greene said that the district’s best protection is its students and employees. She mentioned she continues to encourage the varsity neighborhood to report something 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 permitted a half-cent sales tax in November 2020 with the particular purpose of changing getting old schools, repairing an enormous backlog of upkeep issues, and bolstering faculty safety.

Proper now, 74 tasks are in the design section 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 allotted to initiatives underneath construction.

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

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

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The next listing of security measures is published on the varsity district’s website:

Each faculty has a safety plan and emergency response team.

All college lecture rooms are locked when occupied by students.

School plans are reviewed with employees each semester.

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

The district utilizes various main security monitoring strategies together with camera surveillance and monitored managed entry techniques.

All faculties and district offices have a District Emergency Communications Network radio with direct entry to highschool police and district management. Faculty Police have direct entry to JSO.

All schools conduct regular evacuation drills (fireplace drills).

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

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