District security chief outlines layered safety plan, weapon‑detection cameras and options for armed guards

Jack Blum, security staff member for the Three Village Central School District, gave the board an annual safety and security update on Sept. 3, 2025, describing mental‑health programming, new technology deployments and operational practices meant to reduce risk across the district.

Blum said mental wellness remains the district’s top priority and described a layered approach that pairs prevention programs such as the trusted‑adult initiative with target‑hardening, emergency response, IT infrastructure protection and health and safety compliance. “Mental wellness…is crucial in this district,” Blum said, and added that the district monitors device and social‑media alerts continuously.

The presentation described specific security systems and recent results. The district has integrated the ZeroEyes weapon‑detection platform with more than 600 cameras; Blum said the district uses every camera and that tests picked up weapons outside and a small object held by someone walking toward a building. He described a nonlethal alert involving a student with a water gun that was investigated after the system flagged it. The district also uses GoGuardian to monitor student devices and receives vetted alerts from law enforcement and the FBI, Blum said.

Blum described operational practices meant to reduce vulnerability: a default lockout posture after arrival and before dismissal, security vestibules and bullet‑resistant window film in unspecified locations, an automated hallway door‑lock system that he said secures doors “within seconds” of a lockdown activation, and 24/7 patrol coverage that responded to more than 120 calls on Aug. 23. He said patrol officers accompany staff on home visits for safety and that security staff establish incident command until relieved by district leadership or emergency responders.

Blum also reviewed nontechnical safety work: indoor air quality and volatile organic compound testing, ongoing asbestos remediation using capital dollars, weekly lead‑testing oversight through the district’s vendor JC Broderick, and annual fire inspections that provide the certificate of occupancy (fire inspections begin Oct. 21 for the district this year, he said).

On training and coordination, Blum said the district runs required in‑service training (including DASA and PESH content), provides CPR/AED and Narcan training, and has provided EMT courses that have produced staff certified to respond in the district and the community. He described two emergency apps in use: Rave, purchased by the county for districts, and a “crisis manager” app with built icons to guide staff through specific incident types.

On armed security, Blum said, “Should you decide to authorize armed security, we’re ready to go in any way, shape, or form.” A board speaker later said negotiations on financial components and meetings with bargaining units will take place this week and that more details will be prepared for the Sept. 17 meeting.

What happened next: the board asked questions and thanked Blum for the presentation. No formal board vote on new security staffing or weapon policies took place at the Sept. 3 meeting.

Ending — next steps: district staff will continue routine reporting on technology, training and drills; the board was invited to observe lockdown drills; and financial negotiations and additional materials on the possibility of armed security were scheduled to be discussed at upcoming meetings.