SHELBY COUNTY, Ind. -Southwestern High School has installed a security system that networks the school with local law enforcement to thwart school shootings.
The Indiana Sheriff’s Association (ISA) hand-selected the school to be the first in the nation to receive the new technology, which was developed by Virginia-based Net Talon. Called the “Safe School Flagship,” the program is geared to show school’s nationwide what the safest school could look like, WISHTV.com reports.
Law decided to implement a new security system due to the problems associated with how authorities respond to school shootings.
The security system requires each teacher to wear a key fob, which they would press in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Pushing the fob activates the security system, which immediately notifies law enforcement, CBS 6 reports.
The system then directs teachers to get students into a classroom and shut the door, which automatically locks. Inside the classrooms, teachers have a tool that allows them to report whether their class is safe, under attack, or dealing with an injury.
The system also promptly provides Shelby County officers, who are miles away from the school, a complete layout of the school, displaying which classrooms are safe and what’s happening on the campus.
Video surveillance cameras and sensor also begin tracking the shooter throughout the campus, helping police to get a description of the suspect and locate him.
The new system also features new hardened door stands, with an enhanced locking mechanism to ensure that the door is not breached.
Classrooms are also equipped with a safety kit which includes a tourniquet in case some is suffering from a gunshot wound, but cannot be seen by the paramedics immediately.
Net Talon provided most of the funding for the project, with the Southwestern Consolidated School District using some grant money to offset the costs.
