'Rave' system allows for faster response to active shooters in Nassau

<p>The school shooting in Florida that resulted in 17 deaths has officials in Nassau County reviewing their standards and practices if a similar incident were to take place.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 15, 2018, 7:57 PM

Updated 2,258 days ago

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The school shooting in Florida that resulted in 17 deaths has officials in Nassau County reviewing their standards and practices in the event a similar incident were to take place. 
Acting Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder spoke to News 12 Long Island Thursday about the "Rave" system that police have in place at 40 of the county's 56 school districts. 
Rave is a smartphone-based alert system that allows a teacher or administrator to quickly and quietly contact 911 operators instantaneously during emergencies by tapping an icon. 
Police can then monitor school security cameras and access information to make their response more effective. 
"We're not waiting for a 911 call. Our cars are immediately out and running," said Ryder. "Our job is to stop the threat." 
The Suffolk Police Department says 34 school districts are enrolled in an app similar to Nassau's Rave system. Police in both counties also said they routinely consult with school districts to carry out active shooter drills and develop strategies to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Carle Place Schools Superintendent David Flatley said it is also important to foster relationships between faculty, students and those who need mental help in schools.  
"Those relationships lead to students, parents giving us a heads up about things that may be troubling on some social media," said Flatley. 
In the case of the suspected Florida shooter, the FBI said it was informed last year that someone on YouTube who had the same name as the suspect, Nikolas Cruz, commented at one point, "I'm going to be a professional school shooter." 


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