Submitted Photo The Dunkirk school district has installed lockdown boxes next to its fire alarms. The new boxes can be used to call the Dunkirk Police Department for help in case of a security situation.

Recent security upgrades at the Dunkirk school district include smash-proof window film, bulletproof transaction windows and a new intruder lock-down system.

Tim Abbey, the district’s chief of buildings and grounds, detailed the changes during Tuesday’s meeting of the Dunkirk Board of Education. He said film was recently applied to every window in the school district to make them nearly impossible to smash through or shatter.

As for the transaction windows at school offices, “these are bank-related ballistic windows,” Abbey said. “I don’t know many districts that go to this length to put these in.”

There is also a district-wide card access program going in for employees and students, which is nearly complete.

The lock-down system consists of blue “lock-down boxes” wired into, and placed next to, the fire alarm box system. Abbey said it was a challenge working with the state Education Department to get approval for the new boxes, as they have numerous requirements for fire alarm systems but none at all for lock-down systems.

The main point of the lock-down boxes “is to get the cops here as soon as possible” in case of a security emergency, Abbey said.

He said the lock-down system offers many infrastructure control possibilities, such as the ability to open and close doors. However, that will be considered in the future. Right now, the sole function of the system will be to call police in case of an emergency.