In 1970, there were just 20 school shooting incidents in the U.S. By 2023, that number had exploded to 349. 

This sharp rise, recorded by the K-12 School Shooting Database, sends a clear message: school emergencies are no longer rare — they’re a growing national crisis. With that reality comes an urgent need for faster, more effective security and emergency response measures in U.S. schools.

One important advancement in school safety is Alyssa’s Law — legislation requiring silent panic alarms that connect directly to law enforcement. Designed to address threats like active shooter situations, the law helps ensure faster response times by giving schools a direct and discreet way to alert authorities. By enabling quicker intervention, it plays a critical role in protecting students and staff during emergencies.

How did Alyssa’s Law come about?

Alyssa’s Law was created in response to the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff was one of 17 people killed. Advocated by her mother, Lori Alhadeff, the law mandates silent panic alarms in schools that directly alert law enforcement to reduce emergency response times.

According to the Make Our Schools Safe website, Alyssa’s Law has already been enacted in several states — including New Jersey, Florida, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma, Georgia, Washington, and Oregon — and is under consideration in about 18 others. The law is driving a significant shift in school safety protocols and could eventually expand to the federal level.

Alyssa's Law is a security provider game-changer

Alyssa’s Law is driving major changes in the security industry. It has sharply increased demand for compliant panic alarm systems, creating new opportunities for companies focused on school safety. Many security providers that haven’t traditionally served the K–12 market are now finding ways to support schools in meeting these new requirements.

5 ways Alyssa’s Law is impacting U.S.-based security providers:

#1: Increased Demand: Alyssa’s Law has sparked a surge in demand for panic alarm systems and related technologies that enable fast, direct communication with law enforcement and first responders. Security providers shouldn’t hesitate to move quickly — schools are actively seeking partners who can meet these new safety expectations.

#2: Focus on Compliance: Compliance isn’t optional — it’s the new baseline. Security companies must ensure their products and services meet specific Alyssa’s Law requirements, such as silent activation, direct law enforcement connectivity, and the ability to meet regulatory standards. Failing to comply doesn’t just risk lost business — it could lead to liability concerns and reputational damage.

#3: Enhanced Communication Tools: To stay competitive in the school safety space, security providers need to offer advanced communication tools that enable real-time interaction between school staff and first responders. Features like two-way audio and live video are quickly becoming the new standard.

#4: Integration with Existing Systems: Schools are looking for integrated solutions — not isolated fixes. The ability to integrate with systems schools already use — like fire alarms, PA systems, and surveillance cameras — adds real value and streamlines emergency response without disrupting current operations. 

#5: Potential of Federal Expansion: As momentum builds around Alyssa’s Law — at both the state and federal levels — security companies that act now have a chance to lead the market. Aligning with these requirements early opens the door to significant growth in the K–12 safety sector.

When every second counts, every system matters

At the heart of Alyssa’s Law is a simple truth: when lives are on the line, every second matters. Schools need more than just alarms — they need fast and reliable ways to connect with first responders the moment a threat emerges. This growing demand for smarter, faster emergency communication is reshaping what school safety looks like — and raising the bar for the technology behind it.

To implement Alyssa’s Law effectively, security companies must leverage technologies like video analytics, location tracking, and discreet panic buttons. But technology alone isn’t enough — these systems must integrate seamlessly with public safety and dispatch centers to ensure the right response at the right time. 

That’s where Noonlight comes in. Our technology and trained experts bridge the gap between alert and action, ensuring first responders get critical information in real time. 

Noonlight’s intelligent emergency response platform goes beyond basic alarm routing — interpreting data like user location, device context, and live audio/video – when available to guide faster, more accurate emergency response. 

Noonlight also provides direct communication between our agents, first responders, and users during an incident – offering reassurance, situational awareness, and a sense of calm when it matters most. If a user is unable to talk on the phone during an emergency, or doing so would put them in more danger, they are able to text message agents and first responders.

Ready to meet the new standard in school safety? 

As Alyssa’s Law pushes security requirements beyond the basics, Noonlight helps providers meet the moment with intelligent, scalable monitoring. Our platform supports 24/7 emergency coverage and is built to integrate easily with different devices, systems, and applications. 

By embedding Noonlight’s intelligent emergency dispatch capabilities — via flexible, easy-to-integrate APIs — companies can expand their offerings, meet evolving school safety standards, and deliver life saving tools  in the K–12 space — and beyond.