Over the summer, Stamford High School decided to implement drastic safety measures for students and faculty. On almost every door throughout the building, they installed red, hexagonal devices which emit a “high piercing sound,” according to Security Guard Steve Summa, whenever the doors are opened.

In the month of September, the alarms were activated to test their effectiveness: the second a door was opened, the alarm went off and a notification was automatically sent to security. After being alerted of their activation, security then used live footage from surveillance cameras to pinpoint the location of the alarm that was disrupted and act upon the situation immediately.

Fortunately, none of the people who activated the alarms were doing so with harmful intent; they were simply skipping class. However, this brought a new purpose to these alarms. Not only could they be used to keep people out, but they could simultaneously be used as a deterrent to prevent students from skipping and staying in school. Rumor has it that repercussions were then placed on the students that were caught skipping, but the Round Table has not been able to independently prove this.

Considering the rising concerns over school security and shootings, these alarms seem like an excellent addition. When school psychologist Dr. Rachel Bria was asked about the impact of alarms on students, she claimed that “[the alarms are] not going to help students overcome anxiety, but they are going to help lessen their anxieties if they feel a little bit safer here at school. Anything that can help students, that are worried about something [happening], will, of course, help them to focus in school; one less thing for the students to think about.”

Although these alarms seem to be ready for official activation, it is unclear whether this system is ever going to be officially and permanently implemented.