Kamenetz, Dance Announce Nearly $3.8M For School Security

UPDATED (12:48 p.m.)—County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance Tuesday announced nearly $3.8 million for enhancing security in county schools.

The money will be used for technology aimed at enhancing security at county schools, especially elementary schools, in the wake of shootings at Perry Hall High School and in Newtown, CT.

The plan includes:

• State-of-the-art camera systems in all elementary and special educations schools. That video could be live-streamed to police in their cars.
• Tablet computers that will allow police school resource officers to monitor video camera feeds from all over a building.
• Electronically-controlled entry systems to be installed or upgraded in all schools.
• A new visitor identification system at each school.

The county will spend about $1 million in cash and an additional $2.7 million in capital money from the budget year that begins July 1.

Kamenetz said the hope is that the county can be reimbursed later by state and federal sources.

Gov. Martin O'Malley earlier this year proposed $25 million for security improvements at schools in Maryland.

The Baltimore County Council is expected to discuss Kamenetz's proposed funding at a meeting Tuesday afternoon. A vote is scheduled for Feb. 4.

Stay with Patch for updates.