Panic buttons a safety measure at Ala. school

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (AP) - Principal Lori Brocato and all teachers and staff at Orange Beach Elementary School in Baldwin County now have panic buttons to wear around their necks or to keep within reach.

Authorities told to Mobile Press-Register (http://bit.ly/WyIYbD ) that's part of the heightened security measures the school has taken since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Also the city has placed an armed police officer in the school full time.

Orange Beach Police Chief Bill Wilkins said the precautions have improved safety at the school.

Wilkins said the panic buttons can be taken to the playground or wherever the teacher needs to be.

When the button is pushed, blue lights go off throughout the school. The school is placed on lockdown mode with children locked inside their classrooms.

Information from: Press-Register, http://www.al.com/press-register/

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