A new law in New Jersey calls for the state's 2,500 public schools to have silent panic alarms to help protect students during emergencies.
NJ.com reports that Gov. Phil Murphy has signed into law legislation dubbed “Alyssa’s Law” — for Alyssa Alhadeff, a former New Jersey resident who was among the 17 killed last year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
“Alyssa’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the need for adequate school security measures," says Murphy. “In New Jersey, we will do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies from occurring within our borders.”
Installing the alarms will cost between $2.5 million and $12.5 million, according to the state Office of Legislative Services. The money will come from a portion of a $500 million bond voters approved last year that will pay for improvements to public schools, vocational schools and community colleges.
State Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, the main sponsor of the measure, says the law "can increase the chances of diffusing a bad situation without further harm to students and staff.”
