(ORANGE BEACH, Ala.) In the wake of the shootings in Newtown, a school in Orange Beach is taking steps towards better security.
The Orange Beach City Council approved funds Tuesday night for immediate improvements at Orange Beach Elementary School.
$15,000 was approved.
The money from the city's general fund will pay to upgrade the school's security camera system among other things.
"The fabric of our society is being torn apart. We have to attack this problem," said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon.
As soon as he heard about the Sandy Hook tragedy, he took immediate action in his town.
"Our parents should never fear for the safety of their children," said Kennon.
Tuesday night the city council voted yes to spending $15,000 on new school security measures.
And changes have already been made.
When you walk through the front door at Orange Beach Elementary, you may notice one thing right off the bat, and that's a police officer on duty at all times. Plus, when the kids return from Christmas break every employee at the school will a panic button to wear around his or her neck.
"They touch that button and it goes straight to the police department. We drop everything we're doing and we can hopefully be at the school in less than two minutes," said Kennon.
"The police officer is patrolling the grounds 7, 8, 10 times during the school day. He's a visible presence and I'm glad he's here. He's another set of eyes and ears to protect our students," said Principal Lori Brocato.
But the security renovations aren't complete.
"Phase two is going to incorporate fortifying the building. Either with steel doors or bullet proof glass. We're going to be able to lock the building down so that no one can shoot their way in like the psycho in Connecticut did," said Kennon.
The mayor also wants to enclose the school's back breezeway.
That, in addition to installing bullet proof windows could cost more than $50,000.
