Alert System Connects Teachers To Police With Click Of A Button

Oklahoma City police have been alerted of a new system that, with a push of a button, allows teachers to connect directly to police officers in their squad cars.

The program is being described as a cost-saving alternative to having armed guards in schools. It's a panic button, of sorts, on teachers' computers that sends a message to the laptops of the five closest patrol cars to the school. Already, 40 school districts and police departments in Texas use the system, and it's now going national, according to the CEO of the system's company.

Months after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, school districts throughout Oklahoma continue looking for new ways to keep children cafe.

"Personally, I don't think arming me with a gun is the best answer, but the idea I can instantly communicate with officers that are nearby gives me that peace of mind that I thought I had lost forever," science teacher Kathy Witt said.

COPsync 911 is set to launch in hundreds of schools by the end of the year. At $3.33 per day, teachers have the capability of alerting the closest patrol cars, 911 dispatch and every teacher in the school with a simple click.

"That eliminated the inherent delays that occur when panicked people are calling 911," said CEO Ronald Woessner.

Responding officers are provided with map to school and map of the school on their computers. That map can show first responders where the emergency is located within the building.

"We have some school districts that have registered over 1,000 devices in their schools to be enabled to send these emergency alerts," Woessner said.

COPsync, Inc. says it's a system it hopes no teacher will ever have to use, but it will be there, just in case.

The system also allows teachers and officers to send messages back and forth to give real-time updates on emergency situations. Currently, the system is not in use in Oklahoma. However, COPsync, Inc. says it plans on working with school districts and law enforcement agencies in the state.