Douglas County Schools Getting Extra Electronic Layer Of Security

DOUGLASVILLE, GA - The Douglas County School System is boosting its school security this spring with electronic visitor management.

Raptor Technologies scans every visitor’s government-issued identification. With one quick glance, school offices can immediately screen against a national sex offender database and visitors banned from campus. In the event of a crisis, school users can trigger a panic button to notify school personnel.

“We have a tremendous responsibility to our students, our staff and our parents. Georgia has been identified as one of the sex trafficking hubs because of its geographical location and ground and air transportation systems,” said Kwame Carr, assistant superintendent of district operations.

Related: Douglas Schools Create Own Police Force After County Fails To Pay

“We must be prepared for anything. By investing in this technology, we are protecting our school system. Raptor Defender will provide us with this necessary extra layer of security.”

Superintendent Trent North has made safety a cornerstone of his tenure.

Following the failure of the county to fund additional resource officers recently, the school system decided to create its own police force. It should take one to two years, North said at the time.

Three larger school systems neighboring Douglas already have their own police departments — Cobb County, Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools.

In the meantime, the school system is doing all they can, North said.

“Students thrive when they are in a safe and secure learning environment," he said. "This investment is one additional step that the Douglas County School System can take now to ensure the safety of our students, our employees and our campuses in the future.”

Each school will receive its Raptor Technologies school security upgrade and training in the early part of this year.