Technology connects teachers and police during emergency situations

New technology is working to make schools safer by better connecting teachers with their local police department.

CopSync 911, an app, is being used in nearly 50 school districts across Massachusetts and alerts police to where exactly in the school help is needed when teachers use it.

Brandon Flanagan of CopSync 911 said it makes communication faster and more effective.

“All they have to do is double click on that application. Fifteen seconds or less it's sent directly to law enforcement officers in the field and the dispatch communications center,” he said.

In a mock active shooter scenario, after the teacher uses the app to alert police, they can continue updating it to give officers real-time information.

The head of the Massachusetts Chiefs Association said this technology would help police with the one primary goal when dealing with an active shooter.

"You need to get in there as quick as possible to attack the threat…statistics show it's in the first couple of minutes of a scenario or threat that people get hurt or injured,” said Chief James DiGianvittorio.

CopSync 911 costs a school district about $3,000 per school and there is also a cost to the police department for the program they need. Another 50 school districts in the state are looking to add it.

On Sunday night on FOX25, we look into why the largest school district in the state uses unarmed police officers inside schools while smaller school districts allow police officers to be armed. 
               

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