How much are our schools investing in safety?

Several of our school districts are investing and implementing safety measures by keeping up to date with the latest available technologies. 

However, since the start of the new school year, the Suffolk County Police Department has responded to approximately two-dozen school threats. 

Last week, the SCPD also held an active shooter drill at the former Briarcliff Avenue Elementary School in Shoreham. The drill, according to the SCPD, is part of the department’s continuing effort to prepare for an active shooter or emergency. 

During the drill, police officers and associated agencies took part in an eight-hour training, including tactical and medical care instruction. 

Earlier this school year, Pat-Med’s South Ocean Middle School underwent a bomb threat, which also happened at William Floyd back in March.

“While patrol remains enhanced around schools, parents and students are reminded of the severity of these threats,” the SCPD said in a statement.

The department also utilizes SHARE and the RAVE panic button. However, the number of districts currently using them could not be provided as of print. 

The RAVE panic button mobile app allows school officials or staff to push a button indicating the type of emergency the school building is experiencing. The app will then immediately dial 911 and send an instant notification with details of the emergency and all faculty and staff on site. 

According to the SCPD, the app also allows the school to send updated and critical information via messages with police and will automatically include detailed caller locations, building floorplans, emergency exit locations, emergency contacts and procedures.

The SHARE program, or Sharing to Help Access Remote Entry, gives police officers access to the school security cameras from the Crime Analysis Center at Suffolk County Police Headquarters in Yaphank. This gives officers eyes-on information in an emergency in real time.

SCHOOL SHOOTING FACTS

Additionally, according to everytownresearch.org, in 2024 there were at least 139 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 42 deaths and 91 injuries nationally.

From 2013 through 2022, there were 720 incidents of gunfire on the grounds of a preschool or K–12 school, including incidents of gun homicides and assaults, gun suicides and attempts, unintentional shootings, and mass shootings.

Over 75 percent of those were from shooters under the age of 18 who got the gun from their home or the home of a close relative.

CENTER MORICHES SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Center Moriches School District has made a number of investments over the past several years, including one for specifically safety equipment or technologies.

“The Center Moriches School District has switched our security software to a new company that allows access to the Suffolk County Police Department and increases the accessibility of the technology to all users in the district,” a spokesperson said.

The district also participates in the SCPD’s RAVE app.

“Over the last decade, a primary focus of building and district-level administrators has shifted to the proper identification and deterrence of possible safety concerns that may impact our schools,” the district’s spokesperson added. 

EASTPORT-SOUTH MANOR SCHOOL DISTRICT

“The Eastport-South Manor School District takes all matters of school safety and security very seriously,” a district spokesperson said. “We continue to review all our protocols and procedures regularly and make changes to enhance our past and current practices.”

Over the past few years, the district has doubled down on their efforts by installing new security booths at every building, increased interior and exterior video surveillance monitoring and security personnel, and partnered with Suffolk County Police Department to utilize both the RAVE and SHARE programs.

“We want our staff and students to feel safe on our campus so they can teach and learn at optimal levels and will continue to work to strengthen our efforts,” the spokesperson added.