Panic buttons return to NYC schools after prior pilot became part of FBI investigation

New York City is once again rolling out panic buttons in schools, just months after a previous pilot program was embroiled in an FBI investigation into potential conflicts of interest.

The city has partnered with SOS Technologies to deploy the new technology, dubbed the "Emergency Alert System," which connects school staff directly to 911, the NYPD's school security division, and emergency medical services. The system aims to provide rapid response to active-shooter situations and is expected to save lives.

With over 1,900 school shootings nationwide in the last decade, New York City officials are under pressure to keep students and parents safe. Mayor Eric Adams pledged to do just that, saying "we will try like Hell to do so" despite acknowledging that there's no foolproof way to stop all senseless violence.

The new system is expected to be available at 51 schools across the five boroughs this year, with staff receiving panic buttons and some administrators also equipped with wireless pendants. The technology promises to connect schools to emergency responders within just 10 seconds, pinpointing exactly where incidents are happening on a map.

A previous pilot program with SaferWatch, which ended abruptly due to an FBI investigation into influence-peddling allegations, has cast a shadow over the new initiative. Federal investigators had looked into whether Terence Banks, who represented SaferWatch, improperly lobbied his brother David Banks and Deputy Mayor Philip Banks for the contract.

Despite controversy surrounding its predecessor, the new panic button system is being hailed as an important step towards improving school safety in New York City.

Ugh, school shootings are like the ultimate party crashers , always showing up uninvited and making everyone's day a nightmare! But seriously, I'm all for anything that can help keep our kids safe. Those panic buttons are like the superhero cape of emergency response systems – they're here to save the day in 10 seconds or less ! And let's be real, who wouldn't want to have an extra pair of wings on their wrist?

i feel so torn about this new panic button system for schools... on one hand, i get that it's a good idea to have some sort of emergency response plan in place and i really hope it does make a difference in keeping students safe . but at the same time, it feels like we're just throwing more tech at the problem instead of addressing the root causes of school violence... like is it even possible for a system like this to detect all the potential warning signs? and what about all the other factors that can lead to a school shooting, like poverty, mental health issues, etc.? i'm not sure if this system will be enough to really make a difference .

OMG I'm literally freaking out over this! Panic buttons in schools are about time . I mean, 1,900 school shootings in the last decade? That's just not right . The fact that they're partnering with SOS Technologies to deploy this tech is a huge step forward. 10 seconds? That's like lightning fast ️! No more scrambling for resources during an emergency. These panic buttons are going to save lives, no doubt about it . I'm super stoked (and slightly anxious) that they're finally doing something concrete to address school safety in NYC . Bring on the change!

just thinkin' about this... it's crazy how we're always chasing after solutions to prevent mass shootings, but there's always gonna be some level of risk involved . i mean, who wants to rely on technology alone to keep us safe? at the same time, if something like an emergency alert system can literally save lives in a split second, then it's worth taking a chance on . but what about the bigger picture here? is this just a Band-Aid solution or are we really addressing the root causes of school violence? also, gotta wonder how much did SOS Technologies and the NYC gov actually spend on this whole thing... was it worth the investment?

idk how much faith i got in this new system tho they keep saying it's gonna save lives but what about all the other ways schools could've implemented safety measures that didn't involve us relying on tech so much? plus 1,900 school shootings is crazy and we need real solutions not just band-aids

omg u can imagine how scary it is 2 be a student n NYC w/ all these shootings rn...like i know schools cld b safer with this tech tho i mean, who wouldn't wanna hit the panic button & get immediate help? its like, lifesaving right? but i do wonder if they've thought thru everythin' - like, what if someone hits the button 4 no reason & it just sends them a bunch of wrong info 2 911? any wayz, at least NYC's tryin' 2 prioritize student safety...fingers crossed dis new system works out

I gotta say, it's so cool that they're finally doing something to keep those schools safe ! I mean, we can't just sit around and wait for stuff like this to happen, right? The whole thing about the previous program being shut down because of some shady allegations is totally sketchy, but I'm glad they're moving forward with SOS Technologies' new system - it's gotta be a huge relief for all those parents and kids out there . And 10 seconds is literally lightning fast, can you believe that? It just goes to show how far technology has come in terms of saving lives.

I'm so sorry to hear that schools in NYC are still dealing with active-shooter situations... It's heartbreaking thinking about all those kids and parents going through trauma because of something like this. I can only imagine how scary it must be for the staff too, always on edge, waiting for something like this to happen. But you know what? This new system sounds like a great step forward! Having panic buttons and being able to connect with 911 and emergency services in just 10 seconds is amazing. I hope it really does make a difference and saves some lives. It's not gonna be easy, but I think the city is doing everything they can to keep everyone safe...

I mean, yay , because what's a little FBI investigation when it comes to keeping our kids safe? I'm sure those 10 seconds of connection time will be more than enough for the NYPD and EMS to swoop in and save the day . And let's not forget about the schools where they'll have panic buttons... just in case things get a little too exciting . Only $X million or so per school, right? Sounds like a steal considering all the potential lives it could save (or not).

I'm low-key worried about how this tech will be used in schools tho like what if it's hacked or misused by a staff member? We need to make sure the security measures are on point, ya feel me? But at the same time, I get why they're trying to implement something like this - safety should be the top priority for our kids .

omg can u believe this??!! they're finally doing something about those senseless shootings in schools! i've been saying it for ages, we need to do everything we can to keep our kids safe . i'm all about mayor adams and sos technologies - they're literally saving lives with this new system . the 10-second response time is insane! just imagine being able to call for help in an instant, it's like having a superhero cape . and the fact that they're equipping some admins with wireless pendants? game changer . i'm so hyped about this new initiative - let's keep those schools safe and sound !

Wow , I'm just thinking about how crazy it's getting with these school shootings . 1,900 times in the last decade is just...wow. And now they're implementing this emergency alert system? That's some next level stuff . The fact that staff can get connected to 911 and the NYPD in like, 10 seconds? That's insane! I'm all for trying new things to keep our kids safe . It might not be foolproof, but it's worth a shot, right? Fingers crossed it actually makes a difference