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.
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.
, 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? 
. 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 
.
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 
. 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? 
plus 1,900 school shootings is crazy and we need real solutions not just band-aids 
! 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? 
, 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? 
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? 
.
. and the fact that they're equipping some admins with wireless pendants? game changer 
!
, I'm just thinking about how crazy it's getting with these school shootings