The quality and innovation in many school safety technologies today is often nothing short of remarkable.  Though even the best technologies require proper utilization by school staff to be effective, there are an increasing number of highly practical and effective tools out there.  From time to time, I encounter a school security technology that strikes me as really practical and effective.  Though we never accept compensation when mentioning a product or service, I do let people know when I see a good consultant, trainer or other security product that impresses me to this extent. 

I had the opportunity to meet Jeff Anderson last week.  His company has developed some truly impressive school safety technologies that also provide a valuable daily benefit for students and teachers.  Greg Thomas, who formerly served as the head of safety and security for the New York City Public School System introduced us.  Jeff’s company has developed an amazing technology that involves a pendant worn by teachers which serves to amplify the sound of the teacher’s voice.  This helps students hear what the teacher is saying and is designed to raise test scores.   His company has also developed an optional feature for this system that allows a staff member to press a button to summon emergency assistance from the office. When the button is pressed, office personnel are alerted to the situation so they can send help.  With this system, staff in the office can even hear what is happening in the room where the problem is occurring.  The system can also be tied to security cameras, a feature that has proven to be popular with alternative programs around the nation.  Monitoring capability can even be extended to remote locations such as a district office or school security and police dispatch centers. 

The company also has duress buttons with audio and optional security camera connection that can be installed in the main office area of a school, a building administrator’s office, transportation director’s office, superintendent’s office or other potential hot spot.  Whether in the classroom or an office setting, this type of technology can be incredibly helpful for situations involving irate, intoxicated, violent or emotionally troubled people, weapons situations, medical emergencies and a host of other situations. 

The hew school safety technologies that this and other companies have developed are helping us to move into the future of school safety rather than accepting the status quo.