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. 

Also last month, Pat-Med’s South Ocean Middle School underwent a bomb threat, which has 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.

BAYPORT-BLUE POINT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dr. Timothy Hearney, superintendent of the BBP School District, said that “[the district] takes all matters of safety and security very seriously and has continued to strengthen our resources, protocols and supports over the past several years to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning community. We believe that school safety is not achieved with a single program or piece of security equipment,  which is why in BBP, our efforts span a team of security guards, a security consultant, myriad community partners in law enforcement, and ongoing training and security updates.”

In recent years, after examining the district facilities, the district updated various spaces, such as exterior and interior access points, door access controls, the public address and phone systems as well as video surveillance resources and radio communications.

Annually, the districtwide safety plan is reviewed and the district has ongoing tabletop exercises to review and enhance our protocols.

“We also continue to implement our go-to-person initiative, while also conducting other trainings/drills for our students and staff that allow us to practice for various emergency situations. One example is the reunification drill that we conducted last year,” said Hearney.

CONNETQUOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dr. Joseph Centamore, superintendent of Connetquot School District, said, “In Connetquot, the safety and security of our students and staff is paramount. For teaching and learning to occur, conditions must be conducive. While maintaining a warm and welcoming school environment, the district takes a multifaceted approach to safety which includes prevention, planning, training, as well as the review of infrastructure and the utilization of technology.”

In addition, he said that, “health and wellness are significant areas of focus as we look to address the needs of the whole student. The district incorporates a wide array of mental health support and interventions, which also includes partnerships with outside agency providers.”

These prevention measures, along with what Centamore describes as “extensive preparedness,” are instrumental to district’s ongoing efforts.

All protocols are routinely reviewed to ensure they are efficient and current with best practice.

“I want to thank all of our district’s stakeholders for their collaboration and ongoing commitment to the safety and security of our schools,” said Centamore.

SAYVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Dr. Marc Ferris said the Sayville School District “[operates] diligently and thoughtfully in the safety and security of our students and staff.”

At the beginning of last school year, a grant was used to upgrade the districtwide camera system with additional cameras and swipe access for all classroom doors.

The district’s camera vendor will install more cameras at the middle school and high school to enhance coverage as part of the first phase of the camera project. Older cameras will be replaced in the second phase of the project. In addition, a new security vestibule was installed in the middle school, so all buildings now have a consistent and safe single point of entry.

Sayville also collaborates with other entities to ensure school safety. The district maintains constant communication with the SCPD’s 5th Precinct SROs and COPE officers, who make frequent visits to our schools. Furthermore, the district contracted with a BOCES safety representative to assist with building plans, review practices, and oversee the overall safety of the district. The district is currently working with the SCPD to implement the SHARE program.

Security in the district has also increased in recent years. Additional security guards were hired for mobile and interior posts, and security has been enhanced at sporting events and after-school activities.

“Security personnel conduct perimeter checks frequently throughout the day to ensure all doors, windows, and gates are locked, so that our students and staff are safe and secure at all times,” said Ferris.