Parkland Mom Pushes for Panic Button Used in Georgia School Shooting to Go Nationwide

A panic button system, credited with saving lives during a recent high school shooting in Georgia, is being advocated for nationwide by Lori Alhadeff, the mother of a Parkland shooting victim. This technology, implemented at Apalachee High School, allowed authorities to quickly respond to the tragic event, preventing further loss of life. Alhadeff has been a passionate advocate for this technology, known as “Alyssa’s Law,” named after her daughter, Alyssa, who was killed in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

Panic Button System Saves Lives in Georgia

In the wake of a tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where two students and two teachers were killed, officials praised a new panic button technology for its role in mitigating the incident. A teacher at the school used a wearable panic button, integrated into an ID badge, to alert authorities quickly. This rapid notification allowed law enforcement to respond promptly and neutralize the shooter, likely preventing even more casualties.

Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was one of the 17 victims in the Parkland shooting, has been advocating for the implementation of panic button systems in schools across the U.S. Since losing her daughter, Alhadeff has tirelessly worked to push “Alyssa’s Law,” which mandates schools to install panic button technology for immediate emergency response. Alhadeff expressed the emotional toll of hearing about each new school shooting, saying, “It’s always so difficult and painful to hear that there’s another school shooting.”

The Fight to Pass “Alyssa’s Law” Nationwide

Since Alyssa died in 2018, Alhadeff has made it her mission to honor her daughter’s memory by making schools safer for students. “Alyssa’s Law” has already been passed in seven states, including Florida, where the tragic Parkland shooting took place. The law requires schools to install panic button systems that can alert law enforcement quickly in the event of an emergency.

Georgia is one of the states currently working toward passing the legislation. Alhadeff emphasized the importance of the panic button technology used at Apalachee High School, saying, “It helped to save lives because law enforcement was able to get to the shooter faster.” With each successful implementation of this technology, she believes Alyssa’s legacy continues to protect other students.

In Broward County, Florida, where Alhadeff serves on the school board, schools use an app called “Alyssa’s Alert,” which operates as a panic button and provides real-time information to teachers and law enforcement. Similar to the wearable ID badges used in Georgia, this technology helps authorities respond more effectively during school shootings.

A Push for Federal Legislation

Alhadeff and her team are working to pass a federal bill, “Alyssa’s Act,” which would require all 50 states to adopt the panic button system in schools. While progress is being made at the state level, Alhadeff remains committed to ensuring the technology becomes mandatory nationwide.

The aim is to provide every school with the tools needed to respond swiftly to emergencies, ultimately preventing tragedies like the one that claimed her daughter’s life. “We’re also remembering and honoring Alyssa with every push of that panic button,” Alhadeff said, as she continued her fight to ensure no other families endure the pain hers has.