It has been almost three months since Summit Academy and Summit Township began working jointly on an alert system to notify the public in the event of an escape.

It has been less than a week since the last escape from Summit Academy. Daniel Tweedlie, 16, of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, escaped Thursday, stealing a vehicle in the process, which reportedly had a handgun in it.

Gina Samosky, Summit Academy's communications coordinator, said the school is still working toward a solution.

“We are still working with the township to set it up,” she said.

Samosky said more details will become available as the school's planning process continues.

Summit Academy is a private, residential school for court-adjudicated youth ages 14 to 19 in grades 9 to 12, according to its website.

Dick Roberts, a spokesman for Summit Academy, said the school has found a good notification program that would send messages directly to residents' phones.

“I think a company has been chosen,” he said. “My understanding was that it was a text-based program.”

Roxann Stickney, the township's secretary, treasurer and zoning officer, said Summit Academy has been good about keeping township officials up to date with their progress.

“Right now the final details are being worked out,” Stickney said of when the alert system is expected to become operational. “We don't have a deadline date yet.”

Meanwhile, people around Summit Township don't seem to mind the facility's presence, despite the escapes.

Dennis Muir, who works at Ippie's Old Fashioned Ice Cream, said people generally don't like when escapes happen, but they can appreciate giving second chances to the children attending the academy.

“I don't have any feelings about it one way or the other,” he said.

Muir said weighing the two sides, he tends to find himself looking more at what he believes is a brighter future for the students.

“I think they're doing a great job with bringing those kids back to society,” he said. “I think it's a good thing they're trying to do.”

Ryan Dunmeyer of Kittanning said he was a former night staff employee at the academy. He saw lives change firsthand, and said the staff works hard to make a difference.

“They do a lot of good for a lot of kids,” he said.

Chairman Willie Adams, a township supervisor, said there are still a few people in the township that don't like the academy being around. But most people are either neutral or appreciate the school's mission.

“The overall consensus is people don't mind Summit Academy,” he said.

Adams said Summit Academy has done a lot for the community, and the township has a good relationship with the school. He said he hopes that relationship continues.

“Summit Academy is trying its best to be good neighbors,” he said.