PAWHUSKA, OK (KJRH) — Smaller school districts usually have to manage without a ton of resources in almost every aspect, which often includes safety. But districts like Pawhuska are coming up with new ways to keep kids safe.
Before the school year, the school district and the police department met to figure out ways to improve their communication.
Superintendent David Cash says Chief Nick Silva offered to patch the administrators in to their officers' radio communications. Now, five administrators have the ability to talk to police the same way dispatch does.
"Ten seconds, twenty seconds can mean life and death in some cases," Cash said. "I just thought it was great they offered, I've never been in a situation where we can do that."
The collaboration has even helped with communication between student resource officers and administration - making sure someone is always watching over the kids. The Pawhuska Police Department posted details about the collaboration on their Facebook page, which came as a relief to parents.
"It makes me feel a lot better," mother of three Gabriele Barrone said. "It makes me feel a lot safer with my kids going to school here, knowing if anything happens police are right there if they need them."
Chief Silva says the radios have already been put to use when schools have needed officers, and Superintendent Cash adds they're used for traffic control and presence around the school every day.
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