Panic button app will allow staff at 28 Wake County schools to communicate instantly during threats
A new safety communication tool will soon be deployed in 28 schools in the Wake County Public School System.
Posted — UpdatedA new panic button and safety communication tool will soon be deployed in 28 schools in the Wake County Public School System.
On Tuesday, the district's safety and security committee will discuss piloting the app at 28 Wake County schools this spring and then rolling it out to all 200 schools in the fall. The district hasn't yet selected the schools and plans to choose them at random. The schools would be elementary, middle and high schools.
Staff would be trained on the app's use before it would roll out anywhere.
"It's, like, safety," Mohammed Elmtouni, a Wake Schools parent, said. "This is a good idea and they should start and have it on all people's phones as soon as possible."
After the pilot program, staff would evaluate how well it worked and gather feedback about how and whether to deploy it district-wide.
National school security expert Kenneth Trump said it won't be a one-stop solution, however.
"Too often, people think today 'If we have an app for that, it's going to solve everything,'" he said. "Panic buttons can serve multiple purposes, but they can also have unintended consequences."
While Trump says false alarms could create panic and send schools into unnecessary lockdowns, parents in the county see the new tool as an added layer of security.
"If it's easy for faculty to access, and it's going to bring parents peace of mind...I think yeah, go for it," Vanessa Treires said.
Several other school systems have begun using the app already, including the Vance and Hoke county systems. Others are in the process of starting it, such as Nash County Public Schools.
The addition of the app comes as more students are bringing weapons to school and as schools receive social media threats, many which are never verified.
- Bring one clear bag no larger than 12" x 15" x 3". No other bags are permitted.
In addition to one clear bag, event attendees may carry:
- A small, clear clutch bag/wristlet no larger than 4" x 6" x 1";
- Bags containing medically necessary items for that attendee's assistance (e.g., an oxygen tank)
- Diaper bags
Each attendee is permitted to bring the following loose items, as long as any compartments capable of storage are left open and are empty (e.g., coat pocket, zippered compartment, etc.), including:
- Coats
- Blankets
- Seat cushions not exceeding 18 inches wide
- Soft baby carriers, slings, strollers and medically necessary equipment
Leaders in the Wake County Public School System will meet Tuesday at 1 p.m.
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