It is now more important than ever to protect our schools. Students, teachers, and school staff deserve to study and work in an environment where they feel safe, can relax, and can be themselves.
Creating a safer learning and working environment for everyone should begin with prevention efforts. Implementing security strategies for schools is an excellent way to start working toward this goal. Here are six practical security strategies for schools to try out:
Teaching Staff and Students to Recognize Warning Signs
A great security strategy for schools is to teach school staff and students how to recognize the warning signs that a student could potentially display violent behaviour. Some of these signs include social withdrawal, uncontrolled anger, and aggressive behaviour. You should watch out for discipline issues or drug and alcohol use. Other red flags come from being a victim of bullying or parental abuse and making detailed threats of violence.
A student who displays some of these signs will not necessarily turn to violence. However, they need help. Depending on their situation, students who need help could benefit from mental health services or other resources.
Whenever a student, teacher, or other school employee notices some of these warning signs, they need to report them. A good strategy is to implement an anonymous reporting system so anyone can feel safe speaking up about their concerns and worries.
Upgrading the School’s Surveillance and Monitoring Equipment
To keep your school safe, consider upgrading its surveillance and monitoring equipment. If a school still relies on security cameras that produce grainy footage, it needs to replace them with high-resolution cameras. Clear footage makes it much easier to identify faces, vehicle plates, and prohibited items.
The presence of security cameras in common areas and school entrances can be enough to deter acts of violence or vandalism. But for maximum efficiency, it’s a good idea to pair these cameras with an AI-powered weapon detection system, which can detect suspicious behaviours and security breaches. AI video analytics can also help reduce false alarms and avoid sending unnecessary alerts to security staff.
Relying on AI-Powered Weapon Detection Technology
As gun violence is unfortunately increasing, some school officials are considering hiring school resource officers, installing metal detectors, and perhaps even arming teachers and school staff.
But, as you might imagine, these measures are often ineffective, and they can contribute to creating a climate of fear and mistrust, which often leads to more threats of violence. Implementing weapon detection technology is a better example of good school security strategies.
AI powers weapon detection technology. Since these security solutions for schools are invisible, it will not distress students. It can efficiently detect concealed weapons and discreetly alert school authorities and law enforcement. They can then respond quickly to prevent violence and tragedies.
Implementing New Access Control Systems
Recognizing the warning signs is important, but keeping schools safe is not enough. As a crucial safety strategy, efficient access control systems must be implemented. Systems such as smart locks and ID card readers allow schools to restrict access to their buildings and prevent unauthorized individuals from entering.
A visitor management system is also necessary so school authorities can easily track who is visiting their properties.
All visitors should be required to sign in and state the purpose of their presence and the areas they want to visit. They should then be equipped with a visitor badge, and their actions should be monitored closely inside the school.
Establishing a Security Perimeter Around the School
Another security strategy for schools involves establishing a security perimeter with appropriate fencing. Fencing clearly defines the physical boundaries of a school campus. It prevents students from straying and suspicious individuals from interacting with them or accessing the school grounds.
Motion sensors, an intrusion detection system, and security cameras can reinforce the school’s security perimeter and help protect the campus from unauthorized individuals.
Using Content Filters and Monitoring Tools
Finally, schools can implement security strategies using content filters and cloud monitoring tools. Content filters prevent students from accessing potentially harmful online content, such as videos containing graphic depictions of violence. These tools also monitor what students are searching for and can alert school staff of suspicious activity.
As for cloud monitoring tools, they monitor the interactions of students on cloud-based applications and alert school staff whenever mentions of self-harm or threats of violence are detected.
These tools help prevent gun violence and other incidents. They also help identify students who might be having suicidal thoughts so they can quickly be provided with the help and support they need.