Johnson Controls is installing an innovative security solution designed to protect students in the nation’s sixth largest school district, Broward County Public Schools in Florida, helping it to comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act. The Act, which took effect in September 2005, set requirements to prevent sexual offenders or predators from having access to Florida public school district campuses.
“The STAR (Security Tracking and Response) System helps Broward County Public Schools address the issue of campus security, while fulfilling the requirements of the state’s Jessica Lunsford Act,” said Dr. Joseph Melita, Executive Director, Special Investigative Unit and Professional Standards, Broward County School District. “The customized system provides the District with a state-of-the-art electronic method of identifying anyone who enters our school buildings and grounds in order to ensure the safety and security of our students and school-based staff.”
As the project manager, Johnson Controls worked as a collaborative partner with the District to design, customize and implement this solution. The company serves as a single source for software development, installation, establishing processes, training and ongoing service. System installation will be complete at 250 schools by September 2006.
Using SISCO’s FAST-PASS system, the STAR System provides a standard method to document and track visitors as they enter and exit school sites. It offers high-speed level one checks against local, state and national sexual offender databases and level two checks against FBI and state and local law enforcement databases. The system will also be used to confirm authorization for student pick-ups. Furthermore, the project involves streamlining the volunteer program with an online application process. This measure will help protect the children from unwanted visitors to the schools.
