Lynwood Unified will be bolstering its campuses with new video surveillance equipment, tactical First Aid kits, and providing security staff with updated training, after receiving a $498,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s School Violence Prevention Program to enhance school safety.
The new technology and training will strengthen the District’s culture of community safety and provide school sites with increased knowledge, skills, and ability to respond to different emergencies. LUSD schools have annually received honors for work in the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, and the increased resources will help to build on success while improving emergency communication systems and automating security features.
“This grant will allow us to continue growing our safe learning environment and upgrading campuses to protect the well-being of students once they return to onsite learning,” LUSD Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “With improved tools and training we can provide even better results for our students.”
The new safety tools arriving will include a Districtwide dispatch system, a public address, and emergency notification system, a keyless access system installed at each high school; electronic gates with remote monitoring, and an Automated External Defibrillator.
Staff will also receive training for response to emergencies.
The grant is provided through The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, which in 2018 began providing awards directly to states and public agencies to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs.
“With the new school year underway, the safety of our nation’s students remains paramount,” said program Director Phil Keith. “Although this school year may look different at the start, now is the ideal time to make preparations to enhance school safety when all of our children are back in the classroom.”
Prior to the grant, Lynwood Unified made strides to strengthen school safety by adding six new security vehicles to its fleet in December of 2019. The upgraded 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles offer improved technology for better emergency response and coordination with local agencies while reducing costs.
The District has plans to ultimately upgrade all of its security vehicles.
“We are proud to continue improving the technology and safety tools in our District,” LUSD Board President Gary Hardie Jr. said. “We are committed to protecting the educational environment for our children so they can flourish as students and individuals.”