For Immediate Release

Friday, July 12, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Essex Tech Receives $75,000 Safer Schools and Communities Grant for Security Upgrades

DANVERS — Superintendent Heidi Riccio is pleased to announce that Essex Tech received a $75,000 Safer Schools and Communities Local Equipment and Technology grant today to improve safety and security on campus.

Administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research, Essex Tech received the award allocation to address critical infrastructure concerns and implement new equipment and technology to make its facilities more secure.

Schools that applied to the grant were required to have a Multi-Hazard School Emergency Threat Assessment and Response Plan that was developed in collaboration with their municipality.

“I want to thank Danvers Town Manager Steve Bartha, Police Chief Patrick Ambrose and Fire Chief Robert Pyburn for working with us and supporting our endeavor to improve the safety of students, faculty and staff at Essex Tech,” Superintendent Riccio said. “This funding will allow us to make critical improvement to our security systems, so we’re extremely grateful to the Baker-Polito administration for recognizing our need.”

With the grant funding, Essex Tech will be able to make several improvements to its north and south campuses. (The south campus encompasses the five original Essex Aggie buildings, whereas the north campus features 24 new buildings.)

• Camera upgrades to the north and south campuses for mobile capabilities. South campus buildings will receive cameras inside and out, while buildings on the north campus will have older cameras replaced so that they are able to be accessed through mobile devices and added to high trafficked areas.
• Electronic door keypad system for south campus. This will put the south campus in line with the north campus security protocols, which limits access to buildings through an electronic keypad system.
• Mobile visitor management system for north campus. This will be installed at the school’s main entrance and will require visitors to sign in before the door is unlocked.
• School safety training. A group of administrators, faculty and staff, including Essex Tech’s School Resource Officer, will attend a School Safety Advocacy Council training in the fall.

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