Lori Alhadeff, the mother of a 14-year-old girl who was killed in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, is advocating for bipartisan legislation mandating silent panic alarms for educators in the wake of a recent school shooting in Georgia. Alhadeff founded the nonprofit organization Make Our Schools Safe after losing her daughter, Alyssa, in the tragic incident. She has been pushing for the passing of Alyssa’s Law, which requires public schools to be equipped with silent alarms directly connected to law enforcement.
Alhadeff recounted the heartbreaking experience of losing her daughter in the school shooting, recalling the moment when she tried to warm her daughter’s cold body in a desperate attempt to bring her back to life. Alyssa had been given a chocolate bar and diamond earrings that morning, and Alhadeff remembers telling her daughter that she loved her for the last time. Describing Alyssa as an amazing and vibrant girl, Alhadeff emphasized her daughter’s love for life, the beach, and shopping with friends.
In September 2024, a 14-year-old lone gunman opened fire at Apalachee High School in Georgia, resulting in the deaths of two students and two teachers. The school’s safety protocols and the use of panic buttons provided by Centegix, a safety technology company, played a crucial role in preventing further casualties. Alhadeff commended the school’s use of panic buttons, acknowledging how they contribute to saving lives during emergencies.
Alhadeff is determined to pass Alyssa’s Law at a national level to enhance school safety measures and improve response times during critical situations. The legislation requires schools to have panic buttons that can alert law enforcement of emergencies, enabling school personnel to swiftly communicate with the entire campus and implement lockdown protocols. Alyssa’s Law has already been passed in several states and is currently being considered in others, including Georgia. The prompt response from teachers who used their panic buttons during the recent school shooting underscores the importance of such measures in ensuring student safety.
Schools are encouraged to establish M.O.S.S. clubs, initiated by students who wish to advocate for Alyssa’s Law in their state, to cultivate a culture of safety within educational institutions. Make Our Schools Safe provides support for students looking to promote school safety initiatives and works with volunteers, including parents, former graduates, and concerned citizens, to push for the passage of Alyssa’s Law across the country. By raising awareness and engaging with legislators, Alhadeff hopes to enact policies that will enhance school safety and protect students and educators from the threat of violence.
