Texas Schools and Complying with Alyssa's Law

Five years ago, John White, Louisiana's State Superintendent, said this about a silent alarm system, "As tragedies at schools have escalated, leaders in education, law enforcement, and emergency response have collaborated to strengthen preparedness and crisis management. Among those efforts, we have considered the use of new technologies, like systems that can quietly alert of an intrusion or emergency, that may prove beneficial in quickly and effectively responding to an active shooter situation. Every child and every educator deserves to feel safe in their classrooms, and it's our duty to explore every avenue to ensure that's possible."

This passionate statement was prompted by urgings from the legislature to study the cost and feasibility of installing silent alarms in all elementary and secondary school classrooms.

Has your El Paso, TX school integrated a silent alarm system? Here, we'll explore what these systems entail and why, over five years ago, schools started investigating their feasibility.

SEE ALSO: Is Your School's Video Surveillance Making the Grade?

The Theory Behind Silent Alarms

The essential purpose of a silent alarm is to reduce the time gap between a potential threat occurring and receiving support from law enforcement and other first responders. Users initiate an emergency notification directly through 911 and, if possible, provide essential information regarding the event. 

These systems also share specific information, including the person's name, number, precise location, and the type of emergency.

Alyssa's Law

Alyssa's Law was passed in Texas on May 5, 2023. It requires school districts to install silent panic alert technology in all classrooms as of the 2025 – 2026 school year. The law further instructs that the technology must provide immediate contact with school or district emergency services, law enforcement, fire departments, and health departments. The law also provides $15,000 per campus for school security improvements. 

Alyssa's Law is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, one of 17 victims killed during Florida's Parkland school shooting in 2018. She was 14 at the time. It aims to give schools an additional layer of protection during emergencies. 

Silent Alarm Technology

This technology comes in many different forms. Wearable panic buttons allow staff to initiate quick alerts during critical situations, no matter where they are on school grounds. Smartphone apps and buttons in every classroom can also act as silent alarms. 

They can also integrate with access control systems. When activated, it triggers exterior doors to lock and notifies security and administrators of doors where the lock does not engage. 

An Example of the Use of Silent Alarms

CNN reported on an anonymous bomb threat at Eagle Point Elementary School in Florida. The principal used her phone's silent panic alarm app to alert police. Her image appeared on screens throughout the sheriff's office, coordinating a response within seconds.

Only five states, including Texas, have approved legislation regarding silent panic alarm systems in schools.

With our decades of experience at ASAP Security Services, we can attest that getting help as quickly as possible can save lives. To that end, we are a strong advocate of silent alarms. SECURED, our podcast dedicated to school safety, discusses the challenges, priorities, and possibilities. To learn more about a silent alarm system or to schedule a consultation or school site survey, contact ASAP Security Services today.