LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lake County school district plans to test a new security system on Thursday that it says is a first-of-its-kind in the nation.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
The system is meant to help the sheriff’s office respond to emergencies more quickly.
This is an upgrade to an existing security system called Centegix installed before the pandemic.
Read: Florida to open back-to-school sales tax holiday
Adding this new software called Fusus will improve what’s already in place.
Panic alert badges are the centerpiece of a groundbreaking safety system.
At the touch of a button, they connect teachers and staff directly to law enforcement and activate nearby security cameras.
“It’s just another layer that we have that we hope we never have to use, but in the event that we do, it will reduce the response time for our first responders to eliminate a threat,” said Joseph Mabry, director of safety and security.
Watch: Law enforcement to focus on crosswalk safety for ‘Best Foot Forward’ operation
The badges are being issued to every staff member, from teachers to bus drivers.
The district hopes this will create a sense of security among the school community.
Watch: Support from loved ones can help students control back-to-school anxiety
When a panic alert is triggered, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s real-time crime center is immediately notified.
Officers can view live footage from the school and coordinate a rapid response.
See more in the video above.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2024 Cox Media Group