Last September, a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, put the state’s school security systems to the test. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office received multiple alerts within minutes, thanks to newly implemented panic buttons issued to teachers just a week earlier.
Sheriff Jud Smith credited the system for helping law enforcement respond swiftly.
“(The panic button) was extremely helpful in what we did that day of the incident,” Smith said. “I think there were over 20 alerts from people in that general area that was able to help us (get to) where we needed to go.”
The system had been tested just hours before the shooting, which claimed the lives of two teachers and two students and left nine others injured.
In response, Georgia lawmakers have moved forward with Senate Bill 17, known as “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” which would require panic buttons in every public and private school across the state, providing emergency responders with real-time location data.
The bill honors Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall, an Apalachee High School football coach and math teacher who was killed in the attack, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting. Similar legislation—often called “Alyssa’s Law”—has already been enacted in ten other states.
Republican State Sen. Jason Anavitarte, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized that this initiative is about saving lives by reducing emergency response times.
“The goal is to increase coordination, reduce response times and, when a medical emergency or an active shooter type event is happening, basically get people quicker to the assailant, quicker to the incident that’s happening and cut time off the clock to save lives,” Anavitarte said.
Addressing the Growing Need for Security Upgrades
SB 17 also seeks to modernize outdated 911 systems, many of which rely on decades-old infrastructure. Aleisha Rucker-Wright, director at the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority, noted that some 911 centers still rely on paper maps or basic Google Maps rather than digital mapping technology that could provide law enforcement with crucial information, such as school entrances and emergency supply locations.
Many Georgia school districts have already taken the initiative. CENTEGIX, a school safety technology company, has implemented similar panic button systems in districts across the state, including in Cobb Douglas, Clayton, and Cherokee counties.
A Debate Over Solutions
Despite bipartisan support for SB 17, some gun control advocates argue that panic buttons don’t address the root causes of school violence. Heather Hallett, an organizer with Georgia Majority for Gun Safety, claimed that restricting firearm access would be a more effective solution.
“(School shootings) are horrific and they are attention-grabbing… but the truth of the matter is unintentional injuries, suicide and regular violence are much bigger components of the problem,” Hallett said.
Her remarks reflect a broader debate—whether solutions should focus on improving school security or enacting stricter gun laws. However, many lawmakers and law enforcement officials believe that hardening schools and improving response capabilities are the most immediate and effective ways to protect students and staff.
Funding School Security Efforts
Georgia has already committed $108.9 million in school security grants for this year, providing schools with an average of $41,000 each. Governor Brian Kemp has also proposed an additional $50 million for school safety in the 2026 budget, which would add another $21,000 per school.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has thrown his support behind SB 17, along with two other school safety measures—Senate Bills 61 and 179. The Georgia House has also passed House Bill 268, which focuses on school safety training and threat management.
With the legislative session deadline set for April 4, lawmakers are moving quickly to ensure Georgia’s schools have the tools they need to keep students and teachers safe.
