School security is top-of-mind for school administrators nationwide, and today’s schools face many challenges when it comes to school security and student safety.

Taking a layered approach to school security by combining video surveillance with access control and emergency preparedness is essential for enhancing school safety at preschools, K-12, and college and universities—of every size.

1. Install Security Cameras at Vulnerable Areas

It’s essential to do a walk-through of your school and determine how many locations you need to install security cameras. While school budgets may be tight, it’s critical to make sure all main entrances and exits, common areas, and building perimeters are covered—and there are no coverage gaps.

Where are the Top Locations for Security Cameras in Schools?

• All main entrances and exits
• Hallways
• Building perimeters
• Cafeterias
• Libraries
• Computer labs
• Auditoriums
• Playgrounds and recess areas
• Athletic fields
• Parking lots

Installing video security cameras in high-traffic and high-risk locations can help enhance student and staff safety, reduce liabilities—and deter theft, vandalism, and property damage.

2. Install a Video Security System

A video surveillance system can be a powerful crime deterrent, and is your first line-of-defense for enhancing safety and security at your school, university, or educational facility.

High-resolution security cameras and multi-channel video recorders enable you to capture and view activity at high-traffic and the most vulnerable areas of your school, and keep an eye on the interior and exterior of your school and campus 24/7.

Video security camera systems record activity and provide the court-admissible video evidence required to successfully identify and convict criminals.

3. Remember That Not All Video Security Systems are Created Equally

Many schools bid out to various vendors to purchase and install a video security system in their schools—and due to budget constraints, choose the vendor with lowest price. However, choosing a system and security installer based on price alone—may not provide the best security solution for your school, or even meet your needs.

Why is choosing a video security system and installer based on price alone such a gamble? Some vendors bid low in order to get the job, but end up installing a video security system that falls short of a school’s security needs. The low bid solution may not function properly, provide the video resolution and detail needed to identify individuals recorded on video, or may not be scalable for future expansion.

This can cost you greatly in the long run, because you then have to choose another vendor to “fix” the problem, which oftentimes requires purchasing and installing an entirely new video security system or security solution.

4. Implement a Door Access Control System

Door access control solutions enable you to monitor and prevent unauthorized access to critical areas of your school. Electronic access control systems provide an additional layer of protection, along with centralized monitoring and management of multiple locations and thousands of staff members.

IP-based access control solutions are well-suited for installations of any size, providing convenient and cost-effective access management, along with a safer environment for your school, students, and staff.

IP-based access control also offers flexibility, enabling you to add more doors to your network as your needs grow and your budget allows. Additionally, it offers convenient access management of weekly schedules and holidays, and delivers simplified administration and access management.

5. Add Mobile Surveillance

Mobile DVRs provide schools with an extra set of eyes to monitor buses, drivers, and students—and tackle challenging issues like bullying, unsafe driving, vandalism, and reckless behavior.

Adding a mobile DVR to your school bus fleet will enable you to see what’s going on while the bus is on the road, at the bus stop, and parked. Many mobile DVRs provide the ability to track the buses’ location in real-time via GPS.

Mobile DVRs help improve student safety, along with driver accountability, while also reducing overall transportation and staffing costs.

6. Implement an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Emergency preparedness is part of an effective security plan.

Emergency preparation involves training school administrators and teachers—as well as supporting staff such as security guards, custodians, and bus drivers. School administrators can also work with local law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS to help perform emergency drills and training.

A school staff that is well-prepared for assessing potential threats and preventing violence on school campus, along with being fully-trained on school emergency best practices—is instrumental for improving overall school security and safety.

Are You Interested in School and Campus Security Solutions?

Our security experts can provide a security needs assessment and help you find the ideal school security solution that’s right for your application.

Whether you are a small private school, a daycare center, a large school district with multiple schools, or a college or university with a sprawling campus—we have the ideal security solution to meet your needs and location requirements. Call now to speak with one of our security experts.