SARASOTA COUNTY- The doors are locked and the alarm is sounding, Sarasota County Public Schools participated in a district wide lockdown.
A mock drill, preparing students and staff could mean the difference between life and death. Sarasota County School’s Police Chief Tim Enos says the drill is designed to protect the community.
“As I walked around I saw they were doing exactly what they were drilled to do basically what the announcement was. I thought they did an excellent job,” said Enos.
Chief Enos says practice and repetition is key and that’s why these drills will become more frequent in the county.
“As we continue to do this, it should make them more comfortable, and being with that more comfort it’ll be quicker, more efficient. Ultimately, they need to know this that it’s for the safety of everyone,” said Enos.
Sarasota County Schools will no longer use color codes as a way to communicate during emergencies. Now, they will use clear instructions to determine how students and staff should respond.
“That’s a system were going to take to every school in the district. It’s nice to see it here and work out the bugs, so that when we implement it at other schools, it’s where we want it to be,” said Bowden.
Locking doors, turning off lights and having a single entrance point, the county is working on hardening school security. Wilkinson Elementary principal, Susan Nations prepared her staff with the latest procedures.
“We want to make our kids as safe too; they care about these children just as if they were their own,” said Nations.
In light of Sandy Hook, Marjory Stoneman Douglas and countless other shootings, Superintendent Todd Bowden says this is unfortunately a part of the culture of being on a school campus.
“It’s a bit disconcerting not only for the students but for the staff also, that you have to have a plan for a shooting at your local elementary school,” said Bowden.
