MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Arthur Cummins, Ed. D, 714-327-1071, Orange County Department of Education
Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714-904-7042, Orange County Sheriff’s Department
COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA (July 24, 2014) – In response to the Sandy Hook tragedy and other incidents of violence in the nation, there has been a call to reduce gun violence and protect children and communities. Many agencies have realized the importance of creating safer school climates and have proposed solutions, such as hiring additional school resource officers, counselors and mental health professionals, and promoting collaboration between schools and law enforcement in developing comprehensive emergency plans, which include hands-on training.
Orange County law enforcement agencies and educators have responded to this call to action. The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC), which is operated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) have launched the School Assessment Project, a united effort to collect information from every school in Orange County to ensure the safety of all students. The data being collected includes school emergency plans, evacuation routes, maps, and other details that will be provided to first responders during school emergency situations. Continue reading