LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—Lake County School District is implementing a new safety feature for all faculty. It’s aimed at increasing crisis response with law enforcement using panic buttons.

Bethany Alford is a Lake County mother of two. Like many parents, school safety is top of mind heading into the new year. Especially after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

“It’s gut wrenching, I feel for the parents and all the students and I just pray that it never happens here,” said Alford.

Last year, Lake County Schools had 4 incidents where a gun was brought on campus. Now in October, the District is implementing state-of-the-art panic buttons. They may look like just lanyards, but are actually a quick and easy way to communicate inside and outside the classroom with an emergency. As a district safety and security specialist, Alex Hanke is one person making it happen.

“This is actually the Centegix badge. So every staff member and every visiting safe member will be given these by the district. So that every adult is a set of eyes that’s protecting that campus,” said Hanke.

For smaller scale incidents, where a teacher might need administrative help, by pressing the badge three times, school administration, resource officers, and nurses will be sent to that specific location within the school. But for violent incidents like an active shooter situation, the faculty must press the button at least eight times.

“Once they go to that eight button pushes you’re going to have law enforcement, campus security, you’re going to have everyone from every agency in that area,” said Hanke.

Hanke said by having all public and charter schools be under the same program, this will help law enforcement with quicker response times. It’ll also have a 100% participation rate.

“What makes security so vital in our school system is the fact that we’re dealing with children,” said Hanke.

And for Bethany, she sees the school district stepping up and hope’s parents will follow. She said she’s a tremendous supporter of the school system and they should know parents are here to partner with them.