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Alyssa’s Law Working Toward National Legislation, Being Required in All Schools

Alyssas Law Working Toward National Legislation Being Required in All Schools

Alyssa’s Law requires public schools to install silent panic alarms that notify law enforcement officials of emergency situations when they occur, in order to give them a faster response time.

California School Superintendent Facing Backlash After Realistic Active Shooter Drill

California School Superintendent Facing Backlash After Realistic Active Shooter Drill

Raisin City Elementary had a terrifying drill held on June 3, in which an “active shooter” went around in a mask holding a gun, shaking doors and yelling. Although it was a drill, the students and many of the teachers were not informed that it was only a drill.



Funding for Arkansas School Safety Center to Become Permanent Line in State Budget

Funding for Arkansas School Safety Center to Become Permanent Line in State Budget

After Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Arkansas School Safety Commission made 30 recommendations, districts have been working to make the necessary adjustments. Therefore, school safety is becoming a permanent line in the state budget.

Maryland County to Train Threat Assessment Teams

Maryland County to Train Threat Assessment Teams

Harford County will train five to six staff members from each school to become part of their school threat assessment team in compliance with the Maryland Safe to Learn Act.

Committees Request School Safety Funds for Colorado County to go Toward Mental Health, Standardization

School Safety Funds for Colorado County to go Toward Mental Health Standardization

After two committees presented different ways funding could be used toward Douglas County school safety, two themes consistently came up — mental health support and safety standardization.

Joseph Souza Appointed as Director of New Physical Security Department

Joseph Souza Appointed as Director of New Physical Security Department

University of Florida recently announced their addition of a new Business Affairs department, which will be called Physical Security. Joseph Souza has been appointed as the director of this new department.

$1.5 Million in School Security Funding to be Granted to Vermont State Schools

$1.5 Million in School Security Funding to be Granted to Vermont State Schools

Gov. Phil Scott announced that $1.5 million will be allocated to school security funding during the second cycle of grants. In the first cycle, $4 million was granted to 242 schools around the state.

Man Pulls Gun on Winnipeg Security Guards While Being Escorted Out of Hospital

Man Pulls Gun on Winnipeg Security Guards While Being Escorted Out of Hospital

There was a violent disturbance involving two individuals Saturday in the Children’s Hospital at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. As one of the individuals was being escorted out, he pulled a gun on the security guards.

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office to Hold Church Safety Class

Cullman County Sheriffs Office to Hold Church Safety Class

The Cullman County Sheriff’s office will hold a church safety class next week, including discussions around concerns such as a church security team, increasing situational awareness, and promoting building security tips.

Sandy Hook Parents Lose State Court Appeal in School Safety Lawsuit

Sandy Hook Parents Lose State Court Appeal in School Safety Lawsuit

Sandy Hook plaintiffs alleged the school failed to follow a mandated security protocol in the December 2012 shooting. The appeals court agreed with a lower court judge that governmental immunity shielded the defendants.

School Violence Prevention and Mitigation Act to Establish Federal Grant Programs

School Violence Prevention and Mitigation Act to Establish Federal Grant Programs

This bill will help schools pay for security risk assessments that will identify gaps in their security-related infrastructure and help prevent tragedy.

Colorado Experts, Parents, Law Enforcement Officials Weigh In at School Safety Meeting

Colorado Experts Parents Law Enforcement Officials Weigh in at School Safety Meeting

In lieu of the STEM school shooting in Highlands Ranch, Colo., many Colorado schools and officials are trying to figure out the best way to prevent more shootings. On Thursday, the new school safety committee met for the first time, and there was a great deal of conflict.

North Carolina to Partner with Sandy Hook Promise for Anonymous Reporting System

North Carolina to Partner with Sandy Hook Promise for Anonymous Reporting System

North Carolina will partner with Sandy Hook Promise to implement a statewide Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. The system will teach students, educators, administrators and law enforcement agencies how to recognize warning signs and anonymously report them.

New Laser Technology Could Enhance School Safety

New Laser Technology Gives Emergency Response Officers an Edge

Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is currently using a scan station to create 3-D pictures of properties. They transitioned to using the device in schools and in crime scenes in order to gain a comprehensive picture of the scene.

Indiana School Board Approves School Safety Referendum

Indiana School Board Approves School Safety Referendum

Carmel Clay School Board approved a school safety referendum on Wednesday, which would increase taxes by 5 cents per $100 of assessed value. The extra revenue would go toward more security resource officers, social works, and mental health programs.

Company to Receive Nearly $1.3 Million to Revise Florida School Safety Tool

Company to Receive Nearly $1.3 Million to Revise Florida School Safety Tool

Haystax Technology will receive nearly $1.3 million to revise the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool, which is used to identify threats and vulnerabilities on campuses.

Texas School District Hosts School Safety Training

Texas School District Hosts School Safety Training

This week, school safety training will be held at Edinburg High School with hundreds of officers working in schools in attendance.

U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Three Grant Competitions

U.S. Department of Education Accepting Applications for Three Grant Competitions

These three grant competitions will help build school safety by implementing violence prevention measures through the form of mental health and climate changes.

Civil Rights, Disabilities, Mental Illnesses Advocacy Groups Oppose Florida Database

Civil Rights, Disabilities, Mental Illnesses Advocacy Groups Oppose Florida Database

Thirty-two advocacy organizations are fighting a plan that calls for a Florida state database to prevent school shootings. They have written a letter explaining why they disagree with the bill.

Neshannock Township School District to Host School Law Enforcement Officer Training

Neshannock Township School District to Host School Law Enforcement Officer Training

A law Gov. Tom Wolf signed on July 2 made training for law enforcement officers who plan to work in schools mandatory. Neshannock Township School District will host the first of these trainings this week.

Florida School Administrators, Parents Weigh In on New Fencing Law

Florida School Administrators, Parents Weigh In on New Fencing Law

Under Florida law, school districts must make sure their schools have fencing as perimeter security. There are both proponents and opponents to the law, as the fencing could offer both advantages and disadvantages.

Active Shooter Alert Mistakenly Sent Out to Thomas Jefferson University

Active Shooter Alert Mistakenly Sent Out to Thomas Jefferson University

An active shooter alert was erroneously sent out to Thomas Jefferson University’s East Falls campus Sunday morning while the university was testing its JeffAlert system.

Delhi Doctors End Strike After Guaranteed Increase in Security

Delhi Doctors End Strike After Guaranteed Increase in Security

The Resident Doctors Association led a strike this week after a medical student was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s attendant. The Delhi government quickly agreed to increase security in the hospitals through CCTV cameras, marshals, alarm systems, councilors and social workers.

Study Shows Washington Schools Need Upgrades for Seismic Safety

Study Shows Washington Schools Need Upgrades for Seismic Safety

Geologists at the Washington Geological Survey inspected the seismic vulnerability of 222 schools and found that approximately 70 percent of the state’s schools are located in zones of high seismic risk.

Los Angeles Unified School District to Discontinue Random Wand Searches

Los Angeles Unified School District to Discontinue Random Wand Searches

The Los Angeles Unified School District has been conducting random wand searches since 1993. In June, the school board decided to terminate the random wand searches in July 2020.

Ohio School District Strives for Safety through School Bus Seat Belts

Ohio School District Strives for Safety through School Bus Seat Belts

Two new buses might not seem exciting to some, but Avon Lake Schools’ new buses are special — they have added safety features including over-the-shoulder seat belts, disc brakes, a rearview camera, and a tank that runs on gasoline.

Missouri Schools to Discuss Medical Marijuana, Active Shooter Issues

Missouri Schools to Discuss Medical Marijuana, Active Shooter Issues

In an annual Missouri school safety forum, legal experts will provide updates on a variety of school safety issues including marijuana laws, suicide, and active shooter issues.

New Tennessee School Safety Bill Will Mitigate School Threats

New Tennessee School Safety Bill Will Mitigate School Threats

Last year, Williamson County Schools implemented a three-tiered WCS Threat Assessment Flowchart to help mitigate school threats. Now, a bill has been signed into law that will help districts in Tennessee establish a threat assessment team.

New Indiana State Laws: Guns in Church, School Bus Safety, School Alert System

New Indiana State Laws: Guns in Church, School Bus Safety, School Alert System

New Indiana state laws went into effect July 1, and there are some key changes to school bus laws, firearm legislation, and overall school safety.

Mobile and Desktop Apps Aid Texas Districts in Digital School Safety

Mobile and Desktop Apps Aid Texas Districts in Digital School Safety

Texas School Districts have implemented a variety of school safety mobile applications, including Share911, Mutualink, and the Rave Panic Button app.

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now

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