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March 22, 2019

Oxford manufacturer hopes product, security collaboration will improve school safety

PHOTO | Courtesy Aeroturn LLC Aeroturn LLC in Oxford manufactures turnstiles for a range of clients.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The Sandy Hook school shootings put a spotlight on the issue of school safety and what can be done to prevent similar tragedies.

Executives at an Oxford company, Aeroturn LLC, which manufactures turnstiles, are hoping its products, along with its collaboration with security experts and other companies, may help to make public schools safer.

In December 2012, gunman Adam Lanza killed his mother then forced his way into the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. He then killed 20 children and six adults before killing himself.

Michael Stoll, vice president of technical sales and marketing for Aeroturn, knows a teacher who survived the Newtown attack and is friends with a police officer who was one of the first responders. He said Aeroturn wants to help schools throughout the country improve physical security.

“How do you prevent [school shootings]?” Stoll said. “We are on a mission. We are in the security business and we have employees who are parents with school-aged kids. We are creating a system that will work.”

Aeroturn makes a variety of turnstiles, including ones which can accommodate forced entry-resistant glass. Its turnstiles have been used in sports arenas, universities and private companies. Aeroturn has partnered with another U.S. company, School Guard Glass, to use its glass in its turnstiles.

“School Guard Glass came out a few years ago,” said Stoll. “It will stop or almost completely stop bullets.”

“We feel our product is unique and we can use School Guard Glass to stop [shooters],” he added.

Aeroturn’s products are currently being used in many universities around the country, including Harvard and Dartmouth, according to Stoll. The company’s goal for 2019 is to expand into the public-school sector.

“We aren’t in public schools now, but we want to be,” Stoll said. “Everyone wants their kids to be safe.”

The company expects more schools to implement forced entry-resistant glass at entry points. Aeroturn’s single and dual portal mantrap turnstile can be installed with tall glass panels. Metal detectors can also be incorporated in the turnstiles to help stop a gunman, according to Stoll.

Aeroturn also recently formed a new relationship with a Long-Island based security consulting firm, True Security Design.

Joseph Pangaro, president of True Security Design and a retired police lieutenant, will evaluate Aeroturn’s school and business customers’ existing security systems, identify vulnerabilities and make recommendations.

“We are happy to team up with True Security Design and offer not only unique turnstile solutions to our customers; but a true team of security experts,” Stoll said. “It’s a very new relationship for us, and we are working together to provide the best security.”

“Aeroturn is always experimenting with ways to make our turnstiles unique and better able to protect our children and faculty across the country,” he added.

Aeroturn will take part in the ISC West security industry trade show in Las Vegas from April 10-12. Visit www.aeroturn.com for more information.

 Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com

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