New York lawmakers announced a decision on Friday to increase safety in city schools by locking their doors.  

Chancellor David Banks says that cameras and buzzers will now be used to control school entry.  

Starting in May, this new practice known as the Safer Access System will be added to elementary schools. By the end of spring, Banks says the door-locking technology will be installed at all public schools citywide.  

“Anybody who is coming to the school will have to present themselves before entry is made,” said Banks. “That is meant to prevent the mass tragedies that we've been seeing all too often across the nation.” 

The program will cost $43 million and was approved by the city’s Panel for Education Policy. Bronx parents say they feel that the new system will help ensure the safety of their kids.  

“I feel like measures like that would reduce the stress on teachers and staff on incidents that would require intervention by security,” said one parent.  

In case of emergency, police officers and first responders will have a code that grants them direct access into the school if needed.  

Banks and other New York officials said the new safety system is not intended to keep parents out, but rather that it is just a preventative safety measure they think will stop anyone with ill intentions from accessing school grounds.