Project Grant 15JCOPS23GG04765SSIX

JONESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE JONESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO IMPLEMENT AND UTILIZE EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF AT ALL ELEVEN K-12 SCHOOLS WITHIN THE DISTRICT. EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDE INSTALLING PROTECTIVE WINDOW FILM ON ALL EXTERIOR GLASS DOORS AND ADJACENT WINDOWS, INSTALLING WEAPON DETECTION SYSTEMS AT SELECTED SCHOOLS FOR THE USE DURING NORMAL SCHOOL DAY AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EXPANDING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL DOORS, INSTALLING AND UTILIZING CATAPULT EMS AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SOLUTION THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, INSTALLING AN ELECTRONIC VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT EACH OF THE ELEVEN SCHOOLS, AND INCREASING LIGHTING AT THE PARKING LOTS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. ONE EXPECTED OUTCOME FOR THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM INCLUDES PROTECTION AGAINST AN ATTACKER ENTERING INTO A JONESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING BY BREAKING OR SHOOTING OUT THE GLASS AT ENTRY DOORS. THESE PARTICULAR SCENARIOS AND VIOLENT ATTACKS HAVE OCCURRED IN TWO U.S. SCHOOLS. WITH THE USE OF WEAPON DETECTION SYSTEMS, THE EXPECTED OUTCOME INCLUDES PROTECTION AGAINST A STUDENT OR VISITOR COVERTLY BRINGING A FIREARM INTO PROTECTED SCHOOLS. THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF THE USE OF ACCESS CONTROL DOORS WITHIN THE DISTRICT, PREVENTION OF UNAUTHORIZED ENTRANCE INTO ANY JONESBORO SCHOOL, AS WELL AS THE NOTIFICATION OF DOORS LEFT AJAR, WILL RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESPONSE TIME BY FACULTY, SECURITY PERSONNEL, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DISTRICT IS FOSTERING A CULTURE OF AWARENESS AMONG FACULTY AND STUDENTS OF UNAUTHORIZED VISITORS, WHILE ALSO INCREASING NATURAL SURVEILLANCE AT NIGHT IN THE PARKING LOTS OF THE JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL. THUS, DECREASING THE FEAR OF CRIME AMONG NORMAL USERS.