Board President Malia Malden and Head of School Jennifer Killen attended the Gastonia Police Department ribbon cutting for a new real-time crime center, the board reported at its Sept. 16 meeting. The school reported that its existing security system has been successfully integrated with the Gastonia Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, making Piedmont the first school in Gaston County to complete such an integration, according to the meeting presentation.

The board framed the integration as an enhancement to school safety, describing the crime center as a facility designed to strengthen public safety with real-time intelligence and technology. The mention occurred during the awards and recognition portion of the meeting; no formal action or contract award related to the integration was presented on Sept. 16.

Board members did not discuss technical specifications, ongoing cost or data-sharing agreements during the meeting transcript. The board noted the ribbon cutting attendance as recognition of the school’s partnership with local public safety officials.