The Becker Police and Fire departments have teamed up with the City of Becker and Becker Schools to provide an enhanced safety tool that costs little to nothing for utilization.
In 2017, the Becker PD participated in an ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training program at the Becker Schools. Prior to this occurring, two Becker officers were trained as instructors of this program to assist in the training of school personnel.
During the training, further discussions with school administration — and through the participation of the training with school staff — it was discovered that there was a need to further enhance the safety of the classrooms.
One such way that has been found to help bolster the safety of a classroom and prevent someone from entering is to use a piece of fire hose to secure the door hinge (slides over the hinge), thus making it much more difficult — if not impossible —to open.
With the help of the fire department, the BPD acquired a length of used fire hose that they have cut up into approximate 12" sections (129 pieces).
“I have spoken with the Becker schools superintendent (Dr. Stephen Malone), who is anxious to acquire these,” said Police Chief Brent Baloun. “Before we did, I requested a review by City Attorney Scott Lepak to determine if an indemnification agreement was needed.”
Baloun said Lepak agreed there should be something in place relieving the city from any future liability, so an agreement was drafted and signed by all entities involved.
Baloun also said he plans to stay in contact with the fire department to continue to access even more lengths of hose to supply all the classrooms and offices in the schools.
“We will continue to seek out and employ ways to sustain safety in our schools,” he said.
