Gwinnett County officials say the district's school children are safer thanks to new security systems that were just activated.
All 136 Gwinnett County public schools are equipped with an emergency button and live camera feeds. Those feeds can be viewed by dispatchers and the laptops of some of the emergency responders, giving them eyes on an emergency minutes before they arrive.
"Anytime that we can speed up our response and get folks there," Assistant Chief Brett West said. "That is going to save lives."
County leaders insist this new system won't be used for minor incidents.
A second visitor-management system was also installed this summer in all elementary and middle schools. Officials say once classes begin, the buildings will be locked and visitors must be buzzed in after being checked on a security camera.
Warren Mitchell, a parent at Five Forks Trickum Middle School, gives the new program a thumbs-up.
"If there's a way they can organize it so everyone can respond appropriately," Mitchell said.
The emergency alert system is connected to 911 dispatch centers and is paid for by voter-approved funds.
The systems are currently being phased online.
