Avelar Measure Aims to Secure Classrooms by Installing Silent Panic Alarms

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Students and teachers would have quicker access to first responders in the event of an emergency under new legislation introduced by state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, with the aim of improving school safety through use of silent panic alarms. 

“Now more than ever we are seeing a rise in school shootings, and sending our children to school everyday becomes a stressful and anxious burden for parents across the country,” said Avelar. “Giving our classrooms safe access to emergency responders will save lives, because time equals life in these situations.” 

Avelar introduced House Bill 1705, which would create the “Alyssa’s Alert” system of silent panic alarms in classrooms, connecting classrooms directly to 911 and emergency response services. The measure is an initiative of the Make Our Schools Safe organization, and named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the Parkland, Fla. school shooting. Through Make Our Schools Safe, Alyssa’s parents, Lori and Ilan Alhadeff, have worked to pass similar legislation in seven states, including New York, Texas, and Florida. 

“We need to pass legislation that protects our children and communities from these traumatic events that have become a norm,” said Avelar. “We cannot waste more time because every day, every hour, minute and second without action, lives could be at stake if another school emergency happens-whether it be a shooting, a bomb threat or more. We have to keep our schools and communities safe and this is a first big step in doing that.”

For more information on the Make Our Schools Safe Organization, visit this website at: https://makeourschoolssafe.org/