Like many founders, Peter D'Abrosca wanted to launch a startup, but could not land on a project he felt passionately enough about.
But after seeing the news of yet another school shooting — at Nashville's The Covenant School in March — a plan began to form.
"I was like, 'I wonder if there's a way we can remedy this,'" he said. "First you think of bulletproof glass, but it's so cost prohibitive that no one would be able to use it. The next best option is security film."
He launched his company, School Shield Security Film, in June. It offers a film to place over glass, designed to slow down, or prevent, forced entry — either from bullets or another weapon.
He repeatedly reiterated the film does not make the glass bulletproof but could buy extra time — which is crucial in cases of armed intruders.
"Its main function is to deter and hopefully frustrate the active shooter and hopefully buy time," he said, stating the average response time in those situations is between 10 to 14 minutes. "The idea is, I can’t guarantee anyone that it won’t prevent forced entry. But it is a tool at our dispel to minimize the injuries in these terrible events."
While other companies exist that put film on glass, such as at stores and gas stations, D'Abrosca believes his startup is the only one that focuses solely on schools.
"We've been protecting clothing and candy bars and diamonds," he said. "And no one has thought about trying to protect our kids with it."
The company is working with one school in Massachusetts, with the goal to start with smaller schools and work its way up. The company either sends someone to measure the glass and cut the film on-site or has a school official send the window measurements and the company sends the film pre-cut.
D'Abrosca is the sole employee and is entirely bootstrapped. He was adamant to state the company is not meant as political commentary, it is simply providing a solution to a problem.
"This is a reality-based company, and the reality is, the shootings are happening," he said. "They are increasing and the politicians can argue — I don't want this to be a referendum on gun control. But every time we had a school shooting, it was, 'Do something, do something.' I figured we might as well take action in the meantime."
