Security Upgrades Coming To Quogue School In September

The Quogue Elementary School is in the process of implementing several security upgrades to be rolled out in September.

The security plan, which is estimated to cost $234,561, will include the addition of 15 security cameras to be installed both inside and outside of the school, a security vestibule, as well as a new phone and public address system. The district allocated funds to cover the extensive upgrades in the 2017-18 budget.

The cameras, which are being installed by IntraLogic Solutions of Massapequa, will be linked to the nearby Quogue Village Police Department, as well as the Suffolk County and Southampton Town police departments. Currently, the school has 17 security cameras, which are linked only to the Quogue Police department, positioned throughout the Edgewater Road school.

“We’re working closely with the police department to further refine our safety protocols based on the characteristics of our building,” School Superintendent Jeffrey Ryvicker said.

According to Quogue Village Police Chief Christopher Isola, police officers will continue to be able to monitor the feeds from the additional cameras from their vehicles, as well as their smartphones. He added that the camera upgrades are also integrated with the school’s lock system and will allow officers remote access to the building.

“You can’t put a figure on that,” he said. “It’s a really good system.”

Additionally, the district has hired Core BTS Inc. of Hauppauge to install an upgraded phone system and public address system, which will allow for the authorities, as well as families, to be immediately notified in the case of an emergency. Through the new Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP system, teachers and staff will also be able to initiate an immediate lockdown.

“All exterior doors will lock at the press of a button—that’s perhaps the biggest enhancement to our security system,” Mr. Ryvicker said.

The plan also includes the installation of a security vestibule featuring two sets of self-locking double doors, which will require visitors to be buzzed into the school two times. Visitors will be required to check in with the district’s front desk greeter, who will screen the driver’s licenses of all visitors using a visitors management system. Once they receive clearance, visitors will be buzzed through the second set of double doors.

“We’re working closely with the police department to further refine our safety protocols based on the characteristics of our building,” Mr. Ryvicker said.