Security Bolstered In Hatboro-Horsham School District

HATBORO / HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —With safety a top priority for all school districts, Hatboro-Horsham's director of safety and security informed the school board about measures taken over the past year and what plans are for the future.

Director of Safety and Security Rick Kerrigan presented an overview of the 2022-23 safety initiatives as required by Pennsylvania’s Act 44, emphasizing that the district's priority safety goal is “for all HHSD stakeholders to leave the District in the same condition that they arrive in.”

Kerrigan highlighted capital project improvements over the past year to the school board at its meeting earlier this month.

He said that new electronic doors were installed at Crooked Billet Elementary School's library and STEM room which was considered a potential vulnerability. He said those were delayed due to the pandemic and supply chain issues.

New digital security cameras were also installed at Hatboro-Horsham High School along with a multi-camera installation at the high school’s rear turf field so security can be monitored there on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, older cameras will be phased out and Kerrigan said that the district will replace cameras every seven years.

Over the past year, a new emergency panic alarm system was installed in schools and connects directly to Advent Security. A new system for screening visitors was also implemented.

Kerrigan said at the school board's June 5 meeting that all schools held multiple drills throughout the year as part of its Run, Hide, Fight protocol and that every school conducted threat assessments.

He said the Safe2Say Something Tip Line received 128 tips this year, 11 of which were deemed life safety tips, and that every tip was legitimate. Half of the district’s tips were for bullying, mental health issues, harassment, and discrimination, Kerrigan added.

Kerrigan said the district also received a grant for some future safety and security measures.

He said the PCCD grant will help fund initiatives for increased security at the bus garage, security system integration, crisis prevention training, and medical supplies for school nurses.