KUSD safety committee outlines layered approach: SROs, liaison officers, blue‑box master keys and threat assessment coalition

Kenosha Unified and Kenosha Police Department representatives updated the board Jan. 16 on a suite of existing and proposed school safety measures and the work of a newly convened district safety committee.

Presenters described a layered approach to safety that includes internal measures (school resource officers stationed at high schools, off‑duty and retired liaison officers working security shifts inside schools, and school district staff trained in threat assessment) and external collaboration (Kenosha Police Department, county law enforcement and the School Threat Assessment Coalition of Kenosha, known as STACK, which uses the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines or CSTAG).

Operational items described: the district has five full‑time SROs at high schools and uses off‑duty and retired officers as armed security; a blue‑box master key system provides law enforcement rapid access to schools during active incidents; 3M protective window film is on main entrances to slow forced entry (not ballistic rated); and district‑wide digital mapping, camera systems, panic buttons and a “blue lockdown light” and gunshot detectors to notify administrators and emergency responders.

Staff emphasized the distinction between "internal" threats (current students) and "external" threats (non‑students entering campus), and described STACK as a multi‑agency coalition that reviews threats countywide. The district detailed programs that support prevention and response: threat assessments at each school, deans and counselors trained in CSTAG, restorative practices, AODA (alcohol and other drug) programming, e‑hall pass tracking, grant‑funded school‑based therapists, community liaison positions, security walkthroughs, ALICE drills, and a district subscribe/app for anonymous tips (Speak Up, Speak Out).

Committee members summarized items under consideration for further study: additional secure entrance work tied to a potential facilities referendum; door replacement funding; expanded protective film; visitor scanning and vetting systems (Raptor), electronic lockdown buttons, Evolv/Athena screening systems (walk‑through detection technology used in some districts), and Flock camera license‑plate readers for parking lot monitoring. Presenters noted tradeoffs—cost, false positives, and coverage gaps (for example, plastic firearm components may not always be detected by metal‑based screening systems).

Board members raised practical questions about security at auditoriums and after‑hours events, cellphone coverage in large venues and camera placement; staff said administrators have district phones and radios and that the safety committee will follow up with more information and that the committee will report back at later meetings.

No new board policy or vote was taken; the presentation was described as an information update and the committee will continue to prioritize and survey potential investments.