WASHINGTON-In an effort to increase safety for students, AT&T Wireless Services Inc. and Ericsson Mobile Phones announced their Safe Schools program yesterday, which will provide wireless phones and service to 1,000 schools in America.
The phones can be assigned to school security guards, parking lot monitors, adult crossing guards, playground supervisors, parents traveling with students on field trips or other adults who are responsible for the safety of students.
The grants are given based on each school’s individual safety needs. There are 3 million thefts and violent crimes on or near school campuses every year, according to the National School Safety Center. That’s one every six seconds that schools are in session. “It makes great sense for wireless communications to play a role in school security so that our children can study and learn in a safer environment,” William Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said.
