School security is more important than ever before. With shootings happening on a regular basis in the United States, schools need to take every step possible to ensure the safety of their students and staff. This includes implementing security measures such as metal detectors, ID checks, motion sensors, and locked doors and lockdown systems. It is also important for schools to have a plan in place for emergencies, such as a shooting, which is a serious problem. By ensuring the safety of their students, schools can help to keep them safe from harm.
The number one concern of most parents is that their child is safe at your school. If you want to secure your school even further to put parents at ease, read on to find some tips on how to do so.
Security Cameras
School security cameras are a vital part of keeping students and school faculty safe while in school. They can help identify intruders, perpetrators of potential crimes, or other suspicious behavior and can provide evidence in the event of an incident. The benefit of school security cameras is that they can have cloud-based access control, meaning the school’s security team can access their video surveillance systems from a safe distance.
First, schools should make sure that their security cameras are properly installed and functioning correctly. Cameras should be placed in key areas such as entrances, exits, hallways, and classrooms, and should be angled to capture as much of the area as possible. Other common areas security cameras can be placed in are gyms, cafeterias, libraries, employee lounges, and courtyards. Schools should also test their camera security footage regularly to ensure that it is still working properly to protect people from false accusations.
Second, schools should password-protect their security camera footage. This will keep unauthorized people from viewing the security footage or tampering with it. Only authorized personnel should have access to the footage, and it should be deleted after a certain amount of time has passed (e.g., one week). This is the benefit of having a cloud-based access control system for your security cameras. Your team can access the cameras from anywhere at any time and catch intruders in the act with their real-time alerts.
Third, schools should create a plan for dealing with security incidents that occur on camera. If something happens on camera at any given moment, school officials need to know what steps to take next. This could include contacting law enforcement authorities or reviewing the footage to try and identify suspects.
Drills
Drills are essential for school security. They help to prepare staff and students for emergencies and can also help identify any areas that need improvement. There are several steps that should be taken when conducting drills:
Establish a plan. The plan should include the type of drill, who will be involved, how the drill will be conducted, and what will happen afterward.
Choose a date and time for the drill that does not conflict with any other events taking place at the school.
Notify all school faculty, teachers, and students about the upcoming drill ahead of time. This will help ensure that everyone is prepared for what is happening.
Conduct the drill in a realistic manner, using as much detail as possible. This will help ensure that everyone is taking it seriously and knows what to do in an actual emergency. Follow up after the drill has been completed to assess how well it went and identify any areas that need improvement.
Lockdown Procedures
Lockdown procedures or lockdown systems are another layer of protection put into place to protect student safety in the event of a dangerous situation, such as school violence or an active shooter.
The first step is to secure the perimeter of the school. This can be done by locking all exterior doors and windows and turning off any exterior lights. Once the perimeter is secure, everyone should move to a safe location, preferably in a locked room with no windows. If there is no safe room available, people should hide behind large objects or in closets. If it is possible to contact law enforcement, individuals should provide them with as much information as possible about the situation. The last step is to remain calm and await further instruction from law enforcement.
Law Enforcement
When it comes to school shootings, one of the most important things that can be done to help prevent them from happening is working with law enforcement. Law enforcement can provide training and support for schools so that they are better prepared in case a shooting does occur. In addition, law enforcement can help by providing security for schools and investigating any threats that may be made against their students, their school leaders, their school faculty, and more.
Establish a relationship with the local police department. This can be done by sending representatives to meetings or events, having officers visit the school, or having a mutual aid agreement in place.
Train staff on how to respond to an active shooter situation. This includes knowing where to go and what to do when shots are fired. Staff should also be aware of who the school’s first responders are and how to get in touch with them during an emergency.
Develop a safety plan for the school that includes drills for both active shooter situations and other emergencies such as fires or earthquakes. The plan should be reviewed regularly and updated as needed.
Cooperate with law enforcement criminal investigations into any threats made against the school or its students or staff members. This includes sharing information about any suspects or potential threats that may have been identified. This is where school security camera footage can come in handy because recorded video can provide accurate information and plays an important role in identifying suspects.
The safety of students and running a safe school is crucial at any given moment. Primary school, elementary school, high school, or any school can benefit from an additional step toward their protection. Student and teachers’ primary concern has become safety issues, so finding ways to protect your students and faculty from danger is truly a life or death situation.