Door Locks Help Kansas District Secure Classrooms

Door Locks Help Kansas District Secure Classrooms

The door locks are simple to use. A pin at the door’s base slides into a hole in the floor, barricading the door from being opened. When activated, the door lock sends an emergency alert to local law enforcement.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • February 21, 2019

The South Brown County School District recently installed about 85 Door Armor door locks on its campuses to help keep students safe from an active shooter.

The door locks are simple to use, reports KSNT. A pin at the door’s base slides into a hole in the floor, barricading the door from being opened. When activated, the door lock sends an emergency alert to local law enforcement.

Though the doors are not bulletproof, the door locks help slow down an intruder and sound an early alarm, giving law enforcement more time to respond in an emergency.

The staff were trained in how to use the locks by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

"We can't just sit back and say it's not going to happen here because it can, and we just need to be prepared," Merchant said. "This district doing this and going to these measures is just a testimony that they want to put their kids first."

South Brown County Superintendent Jason Cline said schools have to keep up-to-date with the current climate.

"As our world changes, and the society changes and so forth, we need to do a better job of preparing our students and staff," Cline said.

Senior Josie Santos, who attends Horton High, said having the door locks helps her focus on schoolwork.

"It definitely just makes me feel safer and thankful that they're taking proactive steps to make are school safer," Santos said.

The district paid for the Door Armor devices, which cost about $31,000, with a safety and security grant from the state.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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