Kids returning to classes in Orange this week were greeted with the newest security technology in the state.
This year, Orange became the first school district in Connecticut to send hundreds of live, real-time camera feeds to the town's police dispatch center. The district also implemented a database called School Gate Guardian, which runs instant background checks on visitors to keep criminals out.
School leaders can pull up any of the cameras on their phones or tablets. Soon patrol cars will get the feeds as well.
"When you think about what happened at Sandy Hook, you could hear how much it hit all the hearts, not only throughout the state but throughout the country," says Dr. Vince Scarpetti, Orange school superintendent.