Clay County schools getting new app to increase police response

A new app that will be used in Clay County Schools is expected to improve response times by 50 percent.

It works like a panic button on your phone,  according to the superintendent Addison Davis. He said if there is active shooter situation or immediate danger the administration can contact law enforcement right away.
 
Courtney Conner and her family live in Clay County and her three children go to school there.

TRENDING: 

School safety is a huge concern for her as a parent, which is why she was thrilled to learn the Clay County school district is adopting a new feature to help address dangerous threats faster.

"We actually made sure when we bought a house we bought in Clay County so I could make sure they went to these schools.

"I think it's great, anything you can do to help keep the kids safe is a plus," Conner said. 
 
The app called Mutualink links surrounding law enforcement agencies, first responders, and school administrators in one place. Davis said this will help increase response time in case of an emergency.

"The beautiful thing is once that response takes place that immediately local law-enforcement and fire and rescue have access to our cameras to be able to identify where they can go in the school building, " Davis said. 
 
The Mutualink app was created in alignment with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school public safety act requiring emergency communication systems.

In drills, run time to resolution was reduced by as much as 50 percent.

"My job is to articulate why this actually matters, why this is beneficial for our school district and how this is part of our initiative to continue to keep our schools safe and secure in Clay County," Davis said.

Parents like Courtney are welcoming the innovation.  
 
"I mean it seems to have a great success rate and I'm super excited to see how it's going to help keep school safe and maybe deter people from doing things," Conner said. 
 
School officials said it will cost a little more than $80,000 to implement it starting next school year and a little more than half that to maintain it after that. 

Cox Media Group