The system, which authorities say was put in place about a week ago, prevented a "much larger tragedy,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said.

A new panic alarm system that was triggered during Wednesday’s deadly shooting at a Georgia high school likely saved countless lives, authorities and advocates for the technology said.

Lockdown warnings flashed on classroom screens at Apalachee High School as gunshots rang out, prompting students and teachers to lock the door, turn off the lights and huddle in the farthest corner from the entrance, witnesses said.

At the same time, alerts automatically went out to law enforcement officers, who responded and ended the shooting rampage within minutes, according to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey.

  • oxjox@lemmy.mlEnglish
    52·
    10 days ago

    This is why republicans are opposed to reasonable gun control. These emergencies are money making opportunities. The more our lives are under threat, the more opportunity there is for businesses to cash in on our fears.

    Smith said the panic alarm system at Apalachee, powered by Georgia-based safety solutions company Centegix, has only been in place at the school for about a week.

    Other companies also offer technologies that claim to improve real-time reporting in emergency situations, NBC News has previously reported.

    Centegix, in particular, advocates for Alyssa’s Law — a measure, passed in seven states and introduced in nine others, that would require schools to install silent panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement.

    I mean, yes it’s fantastic that we have these technologies to notify emergency services but, what are we doing to actually prevent the emergencies?

    We can pass laws requiring states to spend money on buying things from other businesses but we refuse to pass laws actually preventing the emergencies from occurring.

    • WoodScientist@lemmy.world
      32·
      10 days ago

      I just wish we lived in a world where the nutjobs went after politicians that opposed gun control, firearms manufacturers, or gun nut gatherings. In the immortal words of Futurama, “smite someone who deserves it, for once!”

    • NOT_RICK@lemmy.worldEnglish
      14·
      10 days ago

      It sure would be nice if this kind of alarm system was a part of a broader initiative to make schools safer instead of the only thing. I’m still dumbfounded a father had no qualms with and was able to purchase a gun for his 14 year old after the FBI visited him on account of his child’s terroristic threats. Can’t possibly make it more difficult for these kinds of dipshits to get guns though, oh no

      • schizo@forum.uncomfortable.businessEnglish
        5·
        10 days ago

        I’m of the opinion that if you can charge all sorts of accomplices with murder for doing FAR LESS than buying the guy who did the murder a gun, those parents should be arrested, tried for murder for each dead kid and teacher, then locked the fuck up until everyone forgets they exist and/or they die in prison.

          • schizo@forum.uncomfortable.businessEnglish
            3·
            10 days ago

            Good. He’s unquestionably responsible, and deserves to rot.

            I’d ask what kind of fucking idiot buys their kid a gun AFTER the FBI shows up to investigate them threatening to shoot their school up and then leaves it unlocked where the kid can access it, but well, we already know the answer there.

        • bradorsomething@ttrpg.network
          13·
          10 days ago

          Yes, arresting one to two more people, the solution we’ve missed all this time. This will stop shootings. It’s all solved now.

      • TurboWafflz@lemmy.world
        7·
        10 days ago

        No?? It isn’t?? The entire point of a society is working together and protecting each other instead of it just being everyone for themselves

      • oxjox@lemmy.mlEnglish
        71·
        10 days ago

        “Free society” is an oxymoron. Pick one or the other.

        • NatakuNox@lemmy.world
          4·
          10 days ago

          Even more so when that Free society is designed to create poor, uneducated, unhealthy, and mentally unwell people. Any proactive solutions to any societal issue requires the signing of a social contract, which means lose of some “freedoms”. 2A advocates want all the benefits of society but want none of the responsibility!