Panic Buttons, Video Intercoms: Seaford Schools Bolster Security

SEAFORD, NY — Seaford schools are stepping up security this year, and parents and students can expect to see video intercom systems, panic buttons and more security guards. That's according to a letter published Thursday by Adele Pecora, the district superintendent.

Pecora said in a statement Thursday afternoon that the safety of our students, staff and faculty is of the "utmost importance."

"We continue to review our policies and procedures to ensure the safest environment possible for all who enter our buildings," she said."This summer, we made a number of enhancements to our security procedures and strengthened practices previously in place."

A new lockdown system with panic buttons was installed as part of the upgrades, and pushing the button will disable all badges and lock all doors. Strobe lights on the exterior of the buildings will also activate alerting the public of a lockdown.

All students in grades 6th through 12th must wear lanyards with their school IDs every day, and the main entrances of school buildings were also outfitted with video intercom systems, the superintendent said. Security guards will be able to see whose coming in and talk to individuals before allowing them inside the buildings.

Moreover, additional security guards, which were seen last year, will remain at district buildings this year.

The updates to security were planned for ahead of time and included in the district's operating budget, Pecora said.

The additional security measures come amid several high-profile mass shootings this year. According to the CHDS – K-12 school shooting database, there have been about 43 school shootings in 2019 and 10 deaths overall, including shooters.