Osseo District to Make School Security Improvements

Providing a safe, secure learning environment at Brooklyn Middle STEAM School and schools across the district is a top priority. About a year ago, David Moredock was hired to become coordinator of risk management, a position that oversees security and emergency preparedness in the district. The former police officer says there are a lot of security measures in the works.

“The district requires all doors to be locked, except for the main entrance, and requires everyone to wear employee or visitor’s badges,” Moredock said. “We’re also increasing the number of card access points we have in the district to help keep our building secure, while giving staff and easy access in and out of that building.”

In the next couple of months, the district is piloting a program that will make school entrances more secure.

“You’d have to use an intercom system to be buzzed in to get into the main office and using a driver’s license visitor’s management system,” explained Moredock.

The Osseo School District is also beefing up it’s security cameras. Brookyn Middle STEAM school is one of several schools that recently upgraded to digital cameras. The district also rolled out new Department of Homeland Security guidelines for responding to active threats.

“We use the Department of Homeland Security’s ‘Run. Hide. Fight.’ That’s what we’d use if we were to have an armed intruder in our school,” said Moredock.

There are also some security features that are not visible to the public, like panic alarm buttons. But ultimately, officials say it’s people who can prevent possible threats. If you see something suspicious, say something.

The district has an anonymous tipline on it’s website: http://district279.org/i-want-to/report-a-tip