School shootings prompt more states to fund digital maps for first responders

Jim Blodgett, safety and security director for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, discusses digital mapping of school facilities on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at his office in Middleton, Wis. Digital maps can be used by law enforcement and others who are responding to emergencies.

Within moments, they captured the culprit: a teenager, dressed in dark clothes and a ski mask but carrying no weapon. More than 20 states have enacted or proposed digital school mapping measures in the past few years, according to an Associated Press analysis aided by the bill-tracking software Plural. Florida approved $14 million in grants last year. Michigan allotted $12.5 million. New Jersey allocated $12.3 million in federal pandemic relief funds to complete digital maps of every school in the state.

The standards create “a competitive, fair environment” for all vendors, Rodgers said. But when New Jersey sought a mapping contractor, the Critical Response Group had “the only product that was available in the state that answered the legislative criteria,” State Police mapping coordinator Lt. Brendan Liston said.“Slap in the face”: Man avoids prison after taking millions from friend’s family

A U.S. Department of Justice review of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, noted police had only “a basic map” that didn’t show windows or doors connecting classrooms as they waited to confront the gunman. Because of their detailed information, digital school maps are exempt from public disclosure under legislation in some states. That’s critical to school safety, said Chuck Wilson, chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, a nonprofit coalition of education groups, law enforcement and security businesses.

Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

School District of Philadelphia, police announce new partnership to focus on trauma outside of schoolThe School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Department are partnering for a new pilot program to help students who experience trauma outside of school thanks to a $1 million grant issued by the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Source: FOX29philly - 🏆 570. / 51 Read more »

Pa. Dems unveil new school safety legislation, named after victim of Parkland school shootingThe new training program is providing election administration training for election officials across the Commonwealth.
Source: fox43 - 🏆 564. / 51 Read more »

A charter school could rise in the former Hallahan High School building in Center CityHallahan was the first all-girls Catholic high school, founded in 1911 by Mary Hallahan McMichan.
Source: PhillyInquirer - 🏆 81. / 68 Read more »

Texas school bus crash: School districts to wear green in support of Tom Green ElementaryCentral Texas school districts are asking their communities to show support for Tom Green Elementary School in the wake of the crash that killed a preschooler.
Source: fox7austin - 🏆 594. / 51 Read more »

'School feels like jail': State of the District draws protestors as HISD addresses school budgets'School feels like a prison,' one parent said. Protestors in and outside the State of the District meeting in downtown Houston expressed concerns about not having elected school trustees, dwindling libraries, and losing teachers.
Source: abc13houston - 🏆 255. / 63 Read more »

Safe Routes to School improvements to South Austin school gets mixed reviewsSome Austin parents argue the new changes have added extra traffic congestion.
Source: KVUE - 🏆 244. / 63 Read more »