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Last updated on Tuesday, July 29, 2014
(DAVIESS CO.) - Daviess County has upgraded their security at all their schools.
But not with fences, gates or guard shacks. They are using the School Guard Program. The program was developed by police as a way to provide faster responses to school shootings. Daviess County is the first in Indiana to try it.
Washington Captain Tim Guy says the system funded by the the School Guard system funded by the Daviess County Council and Commissioners provides a one touch telephone connection between teachers and staff at schools directly to police officers.
The system is designed to get a faster police response in the event of an active shooter.
According to Guy, a response goes out to law enforcement within 20 miles that have the Hero 911 app on their phones. Within seconds, even before 911 dispatchers can take the call, 50 officers will have the information and will be in route.
Washington Catholic, and all of the public schools and buildings in the county are part of the School Guard program.
While the system's main selling point may be the instant notification of police in a shooting situation officials say it has other features that may get a lot more use.
Principals can push a button to warn teachers of severe weather warnings and fire drills. And teachers can use the app to alert officials about medical emergencies or that they need assistance.
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