Police nationwide are paying attention to the latest security measure the Marietta school district is taking. The decision by officials to install "panic buttons" in every school is being hailed as innovative.
School officials said they paid about $5,000 to install the direct link buttons to police. One push and dispatch sends all available units.
"This system is designed that as soon as the button is pushed, it goes directly to the 911 center who can immediately dispatch police units to that school," said Officer David Baldwin of the Marietta Police Department.
Police said the buttons are in all 11 public and 3 additional private schools in Marietta.
"You don't use that button for something you would call 911 or even our other two officers for. You're using that button only in the case of an active shooter or intruder, or something that needs a massive and immediate response," said Marietta High School Principal Leigh Colburn.
Colburn says the button makes her staff feel a little safer, but she adds that her school has always been in front of the safety technology curve. It was built just after the massacre at Columbine, so hallways and lockers --even the placement of classrooms -- were considered as it was being built.
There are also about a 100 security cameras in addition to two armed officers at all times.
"So we're connected to the police department already 24/7. I just think this is an added feature," Colburn said.
The school's resource officers have iPads which allow them to monitor any cameras as they walk the hallways.
"We can immediately pull up the cameras and see what's going on with that. So it gives them instant access to information anywhere that they are," said Colburn.
It's part of a larger partnership between schools and police to make city schools safer.
"We can't prevent 100 percent of the crimes from happening. Our goal is to make each one of our schools as hard a target as we can to keep it as safe as possible," Baldwin said.
Marietta police say they have gotten requests from departments nationwide asking for help in installing panic buttons in their schools.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:20:11 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
