School Security System ‘Game Changer’ for Hillsborough County Schools

FOX 13 News Video Transcript

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (00:01):

When it comes to school security and the safety of students and teachers,

Matthew Stevens, CENTEGIX CEO (00:05):

Every second matters.

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (00:06):

So today the Hillsborough School District rolled out a new system called CrisisAlert. It will help buy precious time in the event of an emergency by putting school safety in the hands of all 25,000 district employees.

Addison Davis, Hillsborough School Superintendent (00:20):

To allow every one of our employees to push the button to be able to signify an immediate, uh, issue or emergency.

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (00:28):

That button is built into security badges issued to every employee, from teachers to administrators, to custodians and bus drivers. When they encounter an emergency, they just push the button.

Addison Davis, Hillsborough School Superintendent (00:38):

That sends an immediate indication to law enforcement, to fire rescue, public safety, to be able to come to our facilities and truly pinpoint where the issue may lie.

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (00:49):

While flashing lights and PA announcements alert everyone on campus of a potential threat.

Chief John Newman, Hillsborough Public Schools (00:55):

Some of our campuses are over 40 acres. They’re huge facilities. And be able to pinpoint where the threat is and where the assistance needs to go, is a game changer in school security.

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (01:06):

The Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Public School Safety Act requires districts to implement panic alerts and campus warning systems. With CrisisAlert, Chief Newman says Hillsborough is leading the way in campus safety.

Chief John Newman, Hillsborough Public Schools (01:18):

We’ve got over 25,000 employees. We have just made them, through this technology, a force multiplier to be able to identify a threat.

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (01:27):

Superintendent Davis calls it a chance to save lives and says that should give everyone some peace of mind.

Addison Davis, Hillsborough School Superintendent (01:34):

It allows our teachers to have comfort. It allows our students to have comfort. It allows our parents to have comfort.

Briona Arradondo, FOX 13 NEWS (01:39):

In Hillsborough County, Briona Arradondo FOX 13 NEWS.