Posted Friday, December 21, 2012 --- 2:58 p.m.

Press Release from the Janesville Police Department:

Project Direct Connect

The Janesville Police Department and the School District of Janesville constantly assess safety issues and implement new initiatives as appropriate. The tragic Sandy Hook School shooting in Newtown Connecticut has allowed us to again assess our response to active shooters in schools.

When responding to school shootings we know that every second is crucial and that for every second that passes more shots can be fired and more death and injury can occur. We also know that once police officers are on scene the incident can quickly become more safe as the suspect can be isolated in a confined area or the suspect can be incapacitated by police or the suspect may surrender or the suspect may end his or her own life.

Project Direct Connect will place Janesville Police Department portable radios in all public schools. School Staff can immediately and directly report an intruder or shooting incident to all on-duty police personnel. Project Direct Connect will reduce the processing time of a 911 call to zero seconds permitting officers to arrive on the scene significantly faster.

The immediate notification of the emergency will allow for officers to respond directly to the school and implement active shooter tactics.

In addition to issuing the portable radios to the schools, officers will train and provide practical exercises with select school staff to assure proper radio protocol.

The Janesville Police Department and the School District of Janesville remains committed to provide the safest possible environment for our students and school staff.