The West Central School Board Thursday night approved use of an app to increase safety and improve communication with authorities. Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine says the School Guard app can be used to quickly summon law enforcement in the event of an active shooter on campus.
He told the county commissioners Monday night a contracting company sets up digital “fence” around the school. The app is then downloaded onto student and teacher mobile devices. It’s linked to a computer program, which allows teachers to press a button and alert both law enforcement and students if there’s an active shooter at the school.
Richwine says it speeds response time, as any police officer within 25 miles of the school is notified instantly. Officers can also respond via text regarding their response time and attire, as some may be off duty and in street clothes.
Richwine is covering the setup and first year of monitoring costs from his commissary fund for both West Central and Eastern Pulaski schools. The Eastern Pulaski School Board could act on the proposal when they meet Monday evening.
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