Tag: Newtown
Strategies have changed since Columbine
February 4, 2014Leah Hoenen
BRUNSWICK, Maine—In the years since the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, the tactical response to active shooters has “done a 180.” When shots ring out, first responders are now trained to act immediately as opposed to waiting for backup.“The active shooter [situation] used to be that you'd hold and wait. Now, it's becoming that you go in and do a quick triage and minimize the threat and get things taken care of more rapidly,” said Bill Guindon, director of the Maine...
Fire company helps school with low-cost security solution
August 14, 2013Tess Nacelewicz
ESSEX, Conn.—After the shootings last year at a school in Newtown, another Connecticut school district wanted to increase security but had only a limited budget. What to do?The answer was provided by Early Warning Safety Systems, a Silent Knight Farenhyt dealer based here. The company was able to meet the needs of the Stonington school district with a unique low-cost solution that connected the existing fire alarm system to the building intercom and police radio.“The question was how...
Iris scanning enters mainstream market
July 24, 2013Amy Canfield
ROCK HILL, S.C.— Iris scanning technology is typically used by the government, the military and in hospitals. However, as prices have started to come down, the market for the technology is expanding to also include mainstream users, ranging from universities to your local gym.Lower prices have made iris scanning technology attractive to more types of enterprises, said Bryan Alexander, a sales representative for Cranbury, N.J.-based Iris ID Systems, a supplier of the technology.“We now...
ESA develops electronic security guidelines for schools
June 24, 2013SSN Staff
IRVING, Texas—An Electronic Security Association panel of experts recently completed the ESA Electronic Security Guidelines for Schools, a resource for school officials who are considering adding electronic security systems to existing security programs.
Available for free public download at www.ESAweb.org, the guidelines highlight the components of an effective school security program, providing an in-depth assessment of security planning, determining threats, procurement types, contractor...
Experts: Schools can prepare successfully for disasters like tornadoes
May 22, 2013Amy Canfield
YARMOUTH, Maine—What can a school do when a monstrous EF5 tornado is barreling down upon it, packing winds of at least 200 mph? Follow through on what should already have been practiced many times, school security experts say.Monday's huge tornado in Moore, Okla., struck two schools. It pulled off the roof of Plaza Towers Elementary, where classes were still in session, and knocked down its cinder-block walls. News reports Tuesday afternoon said seven students died there as a result. Briarwood...
Connecticut governor to speak at SIA summit
April 30, 2013SSN Staff
WASHINGTON—Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy will be a keynote speaker at the Security Industry Association's Government Summit, to be held here June 4-5 at the W hotel.
In the wake of the Dec. 14, 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Malloy led the formation of the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, a 16-member group tasked with making specific, actionable recommendations in the areas of school security, mental health services and gun violence prevention.
An interim...
ESX welcomes Newtown, Conn. police chief
April 22, 2013SSN Staff
IRVING, Texas—Newtown Conn. Police Chief Michael Kehoe will be the featured speaker at The Electronic Security Expo's IceBreaker Luncheon, held Tuesday, June 18 at 12 p.m., according to a statement from the organization. The event is part of ESA's Electronic Security Expo, scheduled for June 17-21, 2013 in Nashville, Tenn.A first responder to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Kehoe was pivotal in helping his community cope with the unimaginable tragedy.“I'm glad to participate...
Greenwich schools beef up security after Newtown
January 11, 2013SSN Staff
GREENWICH, Conn.—Greenwich school officials are strengthening security following the shooting deaths of 26 children and educators in nearby Newtown last month, and they're looking at implementing even stricter measures, according to an AP report.
For the first time, local police will carry key cards giving them immediate access to all public schools in an emergency, the report said. At other times, officers must seek permission with a buzzer to reach the front office.
Schools Superintendent...
Pennsylvania city's elementary schools to have security guards
December 21, 2012SSN Staff
ALLENTOWN, Pa.—The school board here insisted during a recent meeting that elementary schools previously not supplied with security guards have access to one, in light of the recent school shooting in Newtown, Conn., according to a new article from wfmz.com.
Security for the elementary schools was diverted from the middle schools, where Superintendent Russell Mayo said there are two or three security guards already in place.
“I think it's important that our teachers feel safe, our students...
Stepping up school security after Newtown
December 19, 2012Rich Miller
The outrage and debate in the wake of the Newtown massacre will inevitably bring change. It might not involve the federal action that many have demanded—a ban on assault weapons tops the list—but it is certain to include local initiatives that strengthen school security: improved access control, additional guard services, expanded video surveillance or a combination of the three.
Unfortunately, school shootings are a problem that security alone can't address, involving complex issues...