PHARR, TX - Every campus at Pharr San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) Independent School District (ISD) now has a new tool that can be used if someone barricades themselves in a classroom.
The school district purchased 49 breaching tools that are now required un Texas "Uvalde Strong" bill, according to KRGV. The tools are part of a statewide mandate to ensure law enforcement can respond rapidly to active threat situations.
The new multi-functional tool can force a door open, remove door handles, and includes built-in bolt and chain cutters. The new tools cost about $90,000 in total, and were paid for through state grants.
The PSJA Police Department recently hosted a hands-on training to help prepare officers on the use of the newly issued breaching tools, according to a Facebook post by the school district. "At PSJA ISD, the health, safety, and well-being of our PSJA Family are always at the forefront of everything we do," the post said.
"This proactive training strengthens our district's emergency response capabilities and reinforces our ongoing commitment to campus safety."
The "Uvalde Strong" bill mandates that law enforcement agencies across the state create crisis response policies, after nearly 400 law enforcement officers waited more than an hour before confronting the shooter who barricaded himself in a classroom, the Texas Tribune reported.
The bill has several requirements in it that would essentially create a more organized response to mass shootings. It requires school districts and law enforcement to meet annually and plan their response to an active shooter situation and mandate officers to complete a training program on how to respond to an active shooter at primary and secondary schools. It also provides training grants for officers.
The school district purchased 49 breaching tools that are now required un Texas "Uvalde Strong" bill, according to KRGV. The tools are part of a statewide mandate to ensure law enforcement can respond rapidly to active threat situations.
The new multi-functional tool can force a door open, remove door handles, and includes built-in bolt and chain cutters. The new tools cost about $90,000 in total, and were paid for through state grants.
The PSJA Police Department recently hosted a hands-on training to help prepare officers on the use of the newly issued breaching tools, according to a Facebook post by the school district. "At PSJA ISD, the health, safety, and well-being of our PSJA Family are always at the forefront of everything we do," the post said.
"This proactive training strengthens our district's emergency response capabilities and reinforces our ongoing commitment to campus safety."
The "Uvalde Strong" bill mandates that law enforcement agencies across the state create crisis response policies, after nearly 400 law enforcement officers waited more than an hour before confronting the shooter who barricaded himself in a classroom, the Texas Tribune reported.
The bill has several requirements in it that would essentially create a more organized response to mass shootings. It requires school districts and law enforcement to meet annually and plan their response to an active shooter situation and mandate officers to complete a training program on how to respond to an active shooter at primary and secondary schools. It also provides training grants for officers.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments