*Superintendent David Broskie said the app gives teachers and staff the ability to report a threat with the touch of a button.*He added that the district partnered with the sheriff’s office and the police departments in Orange Park and Green Cove Springs to implement the new safety feature.*Clay Schools Police Chief Ken Wagner said only district employees will have access to the app.
Monitor Editor
GREEN COVE SPRINGS— Clay County school and law enforcement officials unveiled a web and mobile-based application that they said would add an additional layer of security in the county’s public schools.
Sheriff Michele Cook said the SaferWatch app, available to anyone with a smartphone, gives users the ability to report criminal or suspicious activity at schools or provide tips to law enforcement agencies, including photos and video.
“SaferWatch provides real-time, two-way communication during emergency and non-emergency situations,” Cook added. “Users and law enforcement can now seamlessly communicate all on the same secure network.”
Cook also said the app allows law enforcement to pushout detailed alerts to the community.
Schools Superintendent David Broskie said that in addition to the features Cook outlined, the app gives school staff access to an emergency panic button.
He added that through geo-fencing, the panic button is only active when the user is in or around school district properties.
Clay Schools Police Chief Kenneth Wagner said the school district has had a mobile panic button available to teachers and staff since 2019. He added that SaferWatch’s added features and ability to link users directly to other agencies represents an upgrade in capability.
Wagoner said that now, one of his officers are stationed at each of the county’s 40-plus public-school campuses. He said the app’s tip feature will allow his officers to respond quickly to developing problems.
