In the wake of the horrific act of violence that occurred last month at Sandy Hook School, schools nationwide have been analyzing their security measures. While a shooting rampage is not something that can be controlled, schools can provide additional security measures that include several panic buttons to draw emergency response teams to the site within minutes.
Before the month of January ends, Lincoln-Way High School District 210 will have a security management system featuring 911 panic buttons and the capability of screening visitors by running an instant nationwide background check. The database is updated regularly and identifies registered sex offenders as well as those with restraining orders. A visitor tracking system is included.
At a board workshop meeting Jan. 19 at Lincoln-Way Central High School, LWC Principal Steve Provis reviewed the basics of the program. For the last three years, D210 has been in the process of tightening its security system, said Provis, which includes mock lockdown procedures. The board voted Jan. 10 to install RaptorWare, a web-based security system design that was launched in 2003.
How it works
The system, which costs about $8,000 for installation at all four schools, consists of "a doorbell with a cover right under the secretary's desk" in the front office and at the entrance to the aquatic center. "It's a panic button to 911, that's a direct 911 call" for emergency situations.
On a daily basis, the system is designed to make sure that the visitors pose no danger for anyone on campus. No longer will visitors simply sign in at the front office during the school day, said Provis. They'll have to produce a driver's license or state ID that's scanned into a system where a nationwide background check is completed instantly. If someone has a ticket, that information can be manually typed in. Children under 16 will have to be with a parent, he said.
"If a hit comes up, a text (message) and email goes to the (on-site) Will County deputy and the administrators," explained Provis. That's a signal of a potential risk at the front office or the aquatics center, he said.
After the scan is completed, the visitor's photo will be taken and incorporated into a badge that identifies his or her precise destination and can track their whereabouts, Provis explained. The visitor is expected to turn in the badge before leaving the building. If they don't, said Provis, "we'll give them a call and ask them to return it." If the badge is not returned, it's invalidated within the system. In other words, he said, a person issued a badge one day would not be able to gain access on another day.
The system allows the school district at a glance to know exactly who is in the building, Provis said.
Before ordering RaptorWare, Provis said D210 did some background checking itself. Lockport Township High School District 205 had already implemented the program and offered D210 a hands-on overview.
Supt. Lawrence Wyllie expressed his appreciation to Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas for his input and assistance in regard to RaptorWare, a Houston-based company. The sheriff's department is an integral part of D210's overall security plan. For the last 10 years, each school has had a deputy on-site during the school day.
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Somebody buzzes to get their kid- they run a check- outstanding speeding ticket in Wyoming from 1987- police called and dad's arrested- opps clerical error- that ticket was indeed paid. sorry. The crazed shooters in the news lately frequently have no criminal background. They usually have mental issues from a legally prescribed psychopharmaceuticals. Will this cross-reference govt prescription databases? How will this prevent first-time criminals? What if they just shoot their way in like Adam Lanza? $8000 sounds way, way too reasonable.Much too cheap for this technology. There will be expensive monitoring fees on the back-end. watch for it. This will end up costing 6-figures guaranteed. Stop lying to us Dist 122. What type of training will the secretaries get that find themselves with this incredible new power? Think TSA. We have a dysfunctional school board who can't behave- now we need to trust the secretaries in charge won't abuse this system? Knee-jerk feel-good invasive program. simple and proven metal detectors would be more effective- just like they use in any court or Federal Building. I don't buy the " if it saves one child" logic- gross intrusion of privacy by untrained and UNACCOUNTABLE lower-level staff. This will generate HUGE lawsuits against the district. If this is installed, We will be relocating to a non-nanny state.
Ben Franklin
Arrest Records (ARST) Administrative Office of the Courts Department of Corrections County Court District Court Superior Court Municipal Court District Clerk Common Pleas Clerk of Court * Important note: Only electronically filed records can be accessed using RaptorTrace. Any records that are not filed electronically are not searched by RaptorTrace.
District 159 has a 6 point plan in progress. I must say we are somewhat concerned exactly what should be posted in the press. Transparency and information need to prevail However, we are reluctant to make public every step of increased security at the risk of impeding the effectiveness. Notifying the public that “panic” buttons are placed is somewhat concerning. We will put out a public information fact sheet on the plan. We simply prefer to seek professional input on what to make wholly public. A personal concern of mine is any relatively intelligent intruder would then be able to impair any persons attempt to hit the panic button. (keep your hands where I can see them). I see no problem stating actions such as “cameras” as any intruder can readily see them. We have the funds to do everything that optimizes safety/security. We are simply in the “process” and have not yet polished a release of information. I assure you, there is a comprehensive plan put forth from the Superintendent that is in transition. Thanks for pointing out this option (software) I am sure it will be given due diligence. I can’t help but wonder, personally, how many ill intentioned intruders would “check in” at the front desk allowing for time for the software to do a background check. However, we certainly will look into if it can stop even one single instance of potential danger.
We live in a very screwed-up world. Sometimes we have to choose from the best of the worst options for protection.
There should be NO one in the building during the school day except for staff, students and police. Dedicate a secure room/vestibule near the entrance for conferences or meetings with parents. Set a perimeter of cameras and locked doors, so these kids can be safe….the teachers can be safe….and the building can function as a school and not a murder scene.
Other than parents, visitors should be screened and the school and the parents have a right to make sure that is done. This is a system that very well could prevent or at least minimize mass school killings. We have to make it harder for nut-jobs with military assault weapons to cut twenty Kindergarten kids in half with multiple rounds shot through their bodies.