Religious Institutions, Buildings, “Critical Infrastructure” to be included
Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter today announced the passage of new panic alarm legislation for places of gathering in Nassau County. The “Panic Alarm” legislation expands the Nassau County Police Department’s current school panic alarm program to religious institutions, businesses, movie theaters, organizations, and any other location deemed “critical infrastructure” by the NCPD.
The legislation was spearheaded by Legislator Steve Rhoads. “I am grateful to my fellow legislators for their strong bi-partisan support for this important legislation. Government has no greater responsibility than to try to keep our citizens safe. Our expansion of the ‘Caper System’ to schools, houses of worship and other places of mass assembly will provide a quicker response and earlier police intervention in the event of an emergency, which has the potential to translate into lives saved.”
The NCPD’s current panic alarm program is offered to all schools throughout Nassau County and is being implemented now. The technology will offer schools either a panic button or a phone application which will link directly to police patrol cars and shave off approximately 3 minutes of police-response time. Future additions to the technology can include an instant link for the police to the school’s video surveillance system.
“I would like to thank County Executive Mangano and the Nassau County Legislature for advancing Legislation that will significantly enhance the Nassau County Police Department’s response to an active shooter and to threats against our critical infrastructures within Nassau County,” said Acting Police Commissioner Tom Krumpter. “The public safety of our residents is top priority and this program will serve as a public safety model."
Rabbi Charles Klein of Merrick Jewish Center had expressed the need for additional security for his congregation due to an increase in violence abroad. “While we cannot prevent every emergency or attack, this panic alarm will give us the confidence that help will reach us as fast as possible if something horrible happens at one of our gatherings. I am thankful to the county and to Legislator Rhoads for including us now while the program is being implemented,” said Rabbi Klein.
Nassau County has recently overcome a contractual delay with the vendor that will be operating the panic alarm system to Nassau Schools. Now other institutions and organizations can participate in the program by applying to the NCPD for designation as “critical infrastructure” and paying a fee for the costs. There shall be no additional cost to the county for this expansion.
Pictured above are Legislator Rhoads, Acting Police Commissioner Krumpter, Presiding Officer Gonsalves and other Nassau County Legislators addressing the media.