A new device called a Guardian Angel has been added to Harrisonville schools as a way to deter school shootings and intruders.
The devices feature a simple design, which uses levers, a metal clip, and a cable that can withstand 7,000 pounds of force.
During an active shooting situation, the Guardian Angel would be used to barricade teachers and students inside their classrooms and keep the attacker from entering through the doors.
Around 260 Guardian Angels were installed over the last few months in Harrisonville as part of a $39,000 school security upgrade.
"It takes about 10 to 11 seconds to deploy," said Harrisonville Superintendent Frank Dahman, while showing off a Guardian Angel. "Faster if you're good."
Harrisonville is the first school district in Missouri to use Guardian Angels, which are installed in every school classroom, library, and meeting room in the city.
Each Guardian Angel is kept inside a locked metal box in each classroom. Each teacher will be given a key to attach to a lanyard to have close by in times of an emergency.
On top of ID badges, security cameras and school resource officers, Dahman said the Guardian Angels add another level of protection.
"The one thing that has been lacking and has been lacking in a lot of schools is what happens when someone gets into the school?" he said. "We do a good job keeping them out, but what happens when they get into the school?"
During a demonstration on Monday, Dahman explained that Guardian Angels seemed like the next logical step to keeping classrooms safe.
"It's a fantastic device. It's simple but it's effective," he said. "When we talk about safety, we're talking about seconds not minutes. It really comes down to seconds. Every little bit you can save is good."
News of the addition of the device to city classrooms gave parents peace of mind.
"Personally, as a parent, anything that keeps your children safer is a plus for me," explained Tina Torres, who has two daughters in the school system.
Torres said with school security continuing to adapt to the times, she was glad Harrisonville took a proactive approach to preventing tragedy.
"Whether it's Paris, downtown Kansas City, or Harrisonville, it just takes one person," she said.
Harrisonville students return to class on Thursday.
Before the first day of school this week, Dahman said every teacher will be trained on how to use a Guardian Angel.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
