The threat and vulnerability assessment by the Texas Department of Public Safety found that the only portable radios that would operate in the west building of Rob Elementary School were those belonging to Border Patrol agents, according to Department Director Col. Stephen. McCrow.
Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police stations would not work inside the school, McCrow said as he spoke to the Texas Senate Special Committee on the Protection of All Texas on Tuesday, “neither [police department’s] … neither the sheriff’s office if they are responsible for assistance, nor the MRF employees if they are responsible for assistance. “
According to McCrow, the Border Patrol has a station in Uwalde with a tower to amplify its own radio signals, but added that when the Border Patrol tried to connect its signals to local law enforcement radio stations, the Border Patrol radios also did not work.
Macro said cell phones could work inside the school, so the boss was able to communicate with dispatchers and the children were able to call 911.
“Mobile phones work, just portable radios that didn’t respond first – the irony of irony,” he said.
He said the system needs to be replaced or the technical capabilities inside expanded and every school in the state needs to be evaluated.
Within three minutes of the shooter entering Rob Elementary School, 11 police officers arrived at the scene, according to a Texas Tribune report and confirmed by a CNN law enforcement source.
Uwalde Police School Chief Pete Aredondo called the Uwalde Police Department dispatch shortly after the attacker shot at police officers, according to the source, asking for further help and saying he did not have his radio.
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