$25 Million US COPS SVPP School Security Funding Examined

From the Motorola campaign: "Access Control solutions specifically designed for schools also assist in controlling who enters campus buildings."

Controlling who enters buildings is the primary goal of any access control system.

What makes their solution different from the competition?

On 09JUL2018 I attended a Congressional Sub-Committee hearing on “Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications” held by Representative Dan Donovan (R-NY) and ranking member Donald Payne (NJ-10).  The two congressmen questioned members of two panels on what is being done to better protect our schools and how the federal government can help with that process. 

The first panel consisted of officials from Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education and Department of Justice.  Members of the first panel testified about the financial and expert resources available from these federal agencies.

The second panel included officials from the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness - State of New Jersey; Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning -  Department of Education, State of New Jersey; Division of Human Resources Section - New Jersey State Police; New Jersey Association of School Resource Officers, and Community Education Council 31 -  Staten Island, New York.  The second panel was asked if they were able to access the two billion dollars that has been set aside to improve school security.  Members of the second panel testified to the training and exercises that are being conducted to better prepare for an “All Hazard” event that may occur on our K-12 or Higher Education campuses.

During his opening remarks Congressman Donovan made it clear that 2 Billion dollars are available for School Safety improvements.  The problem is the process to apply for, and receive those funds is unclear.

"The Fiscal Year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided more than $2 billion in funding for grants that can be used to enhance the security of our schools: through the Title IV (4) grants at the Department of Education, STOP School Violence Act grants at the Department of Justice, or Homeland Security Grant Program at the Department of Homeland Security." "Quote from Dan Donovan's opening statement"

After listening to the testimony I was surprised that the technology sector was not represented.  Unfortunately in most cases technology is considered a forensic tool to evaluate what happen, or a detection tool to alert that something is taking place.  I believe that technology, when properly applied, can be "weaponized" during any "All Hazard" event and dramatic improve the outcomes.  Parkland is a classic example of delayed EMS response because no one knew the assailant had left the building.  Our industry needs to have the uncomfortable conversations with our clients about the "what if's" and show them how technology can and should be part of the planning and response protocols associated with the school violence epidemic or any hostile event.  I believe that technology can be part of the 3 D's... Deter, Detect and yes... DEFEND!  To do that we (our industry) must understand Critical Incident Response.  

Jerry G Wilkins, PSP®

Active Risk Survival, Inc

Tactically Aware, Technically Competent®

Just a couple of points to consider. 

1. Better securing schools is no different then better securing any place where people gather.  Over all the number of violent events in this country are getting worse not better.  For a hostile event to be classified as an Active Shooter or Active Killer the body count must exceed (3).  There are violent events occurring in our schools and businesses every day however we have become desensitized to these events.   There are a number of "Best Practices" or "Standards of Care" that have clear guidelines on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from those types of events.  Unfortunately the guidelines do not clearly define the use of technology and the impact technology can have on the outcome.

2. Federal Grant Money... I see things made in the USA but not made by the USA.  When we talk about Federal Grant Money we are talking about our tax dollars!  

3. Final thought, in virtually every case I have studied technology was in place that could have improved the outcome for the victims.  I believe that planning for critical incidents reduces the likelihood they will occur.  Until our industry get a seat at the table the technology we sell will never be fully utilized. 

"in virtually every case I have studied technology was in place that could have improved the outcome for the victims".Since Parkland is still fresh in our collective memories, do you know which video system Parkland was using? Claims were made that the video was showing at 10-15 min delay. As you indicated  "Parkland is a classic example of delayed EMS response because no one knew the assailant had left the building". How can we prevent the use of unreliable platforms (if this was indeed the case)?