Panic buttons, armed officers part of Pr. George’s schools security plan

WASHINGTON – Beefed up security in Prince George’s County Public Schools could include more armed security officers, panic buttons and electronic doors for every public school.

The Prince George’s County Board of Education was to consider increasing security at its meeting Thursday.

Michael Blow, director of security services in Prince George’s County, weighed in.

“They do not have the resources to give us an officer in every middle school, or to focus on elementary school safety all day,” he said, when asked about the possibility of a police officer in every classroom.

Blow suggested installing a panic button in school office areas, primarily in an area where school assistants work.

The measures would cost more than $5.6 million before accounting for an increased police presence in the schools, according to Upper Marlboro Patch.

The school system’s Security Services department’s proposal comes in the wake of the shooting massacre in Newtown, Conn.

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