SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

                                                  PRESS RELEASE:

                                                   November 7, 2006

       Prosecuting Attorney Mark A. Sorsaia announces a Safe Schools Initiative, that has been recently undertaken by the Prosecuting Attorneys Office, and by Putnam County Law Enforcement Agencies.

       Putnam County  law enforcement has addressed safe school plans in the past, in order to prepare for the possibility of responding to an act of violence that may happen in a Putnam County School. The current Safe Schools Initiative is designed to renew attention to safe schools preparation in order to insure that all steps are being taken to make our schools as safe as possible. 

     The Initiative began in August of 2006, when Investigators from the Prosecuting Attorneys Office began visiting local schools to update information regarding the floor plans of the schools and to meet with administrators to discuss school safety.  A committee has been formed  by the Prosecuting Attorneys Office that has representatives of Putnam Law Enforcement Agencies. The Committee will be working on the following objectives, and will be giving a  report to the Putnam County Law Enforcement Board at its next meeting:

     1. Address the concept of planning for a coordinated law enforcement response to an act of school violence.

     2. Address the concept of planning for a coordinated law enforcement response to an act of school violence, that takes into consideration and incorporates Putnam County Schools safe school plans and administrative procedures.

    3. Insure that current tactical information is available to law enforcement regarding the designs and floor plans of Putnam County Schools.

    4. Incorporate other emergency service agencies and organizations into safe school planning, such and emergency medical services and volunteer fire departments, to insure a coordinated response to a school incident.

   5.  Provide training to school personal and law enforcement , and emergency service personal to familiarize them with safe school plans, so they can all be prepared to respond to a school emergency if the need should arise.

   6.  Provide training to law enforcement and school personal regarding the signs or characteristics of individuals or students, that may pose a threat to school safety, and to form a communication network to insure that information about potential threats are shared with  law enforcement agencies and schools.

   7. Provide information and training to the community, and to students regarding the need report information to authorities about potential threats to school safety.

   8. Conduct a review and study regarding how current  technology can be utilized to enhance school safety, such as advanced security systems and camera surveillance of common areas in and around schools.

     Putnam County School Officials have been very receptive, and is working with Law Enforcement to ensure that initiative is successful. The Prosecuting Attorneys Office will be using its web site to post progress that is being made by the committee, and will being providing other useful information concerning  how to keep our schools safe.