Plainedge High School in North Massapequa recently offered a glimpse into the future of school security during a live demonstration of its new system. When the alarm sounded, lights flashed, and a voice announced a lockdown over classroom displays, students and staff got to see how the districts newly installed wall-mounted panels will function in a real emergency. These devices, now present in every classroom, are designed to livestream audio and video feeds to police, giving first responders the ability to see what is happening inside classrooms in real time. Officials say this capability will help law enforcement determine the precise location of a shooter and any injured victims much faster than traditional reporting systems. School security on Long Island has been under renewed scrutiny following a recent shooting during a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis that left two children dead and nearly two dozen wounded. Many districts are moving beyond traditional measures like hiring guards or installing metal detectors. Instead, they are investing in a layered strategy that combines artificial intelligence, advanced alert systems, and staff training. Brian Selltiz, co-founder of Digital Provisions in Ronkonkoma, said that about 60 districts now use his companys services, adding wearable panic buttons, secure vestibules, and mass notification systems to their campuses. At Plainedge, teachers carry panic buttons on their ID badges, and wall-mounted units are installed throughout buildings. These devices can instantly alert authorities and trigger a lockdown. In the Three Village district, 600 cameras now use ZeroEyes AI to detect firearms, bypassing traditional 911 dispatch to directly notify local police. Westbury and Cold Spring Harbor districts have followed suit, equipping all staff with panic buttons and adding secure vestibules, cameras, and alarms. Officials credit similar systems with saving lives during a Georgia school shooting last year by speeding police response. The investment has been significant. Districts report spending anywhere from $100,000 for basic upgrades to $6.3 million for comprehensive overhauls like those in Westbury. Funding has been offset in some cases by support from the local Board of Cooperative Educational Services. For administrators, the price is justified given the nationwide statistics: 134 people have been shot or wounded on school property so far this year, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. Security professionals and educators caution that technology alone cannot solve the problem. They stress the need for frequent lockdown drills, robust mental health resources, and education on recognizing and reporting threats. Westbury superintendent Tahira DuPree Chase said that prioritizing mental health awareness and giving students a safe way to report concerns is critical. University of Michigan researcher Elyse Thulin noted that roughly three-quarters of mass shooters reveal some intent before acting, making it vital for school staff to be trained to recognize warning signs like bullying, aggression, or withdrawal. Experts such as Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, emphasize that policies and procedures must match the technology. He advocates for multidisciplinary safety teams involving law enforcement, counselors, and administrators to coordinate intelligence and prevention. Kenneth Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, argued that the first and best line of defense remains a well-trained and alert staff and student body. Technology should support, not replace, human awareness and decision-making.