Security Alarms of America - Safety in Schools

What Schools Can Do

Implementing safety drills and adopting the latest security technology that Security Alarms of America of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, offers may decrease a school’s vulnerability to violence. Some things that schools should consider include:

Remove posters from windows: Clear windows provide better visibility.
Set up Communication Center: Linking classrooms and schoolyard supervisors with front office or security staff provides quick response to incidents.
Metal Detectors: Handheld units cost about $150; fixed are in the $3,000 to $5,000 range.
Mirrors: Parabolic/convex mirrors in stairwells keeps areas visible to supervisors.
Surveillance (CCTV) cameras: Viewing entry and high traffic areas can help staff intervene when necessary.
Perimeter fencing: Physically limits influx of unauthorized individuals.
Electromagnetic door locking system: With card access, the cost is about $1,200 per door and prevents unauthorized entry.
ID cards: Student ID recognition aids in decreasing unauthorized entry and accounting for students and school employees.

Keep our kids safe at school. Most schools in the United States are safe institutions, with disciplinary issues creating most disruptions. However, because of the 1998 campus slayings involving students, firearms and multiple victims, schools and school programs are working harder to reach out to students and teach them to be good citizens, to identify potentially dangerous personalities and to develop appropriate intervention strategies. There are many excellent programs around the country that address the issues of bullying, anger, hate, abuse, drugs, alcohol, gangs, lack of role models, vandalism and so forth. It is of great importance to the United States that these programs be pursued expeditiously. Unfortunately, these programs cannot be successful overnight (indeed, many must be initiated early in a child's life in order to be most effective) and do not yet exist in all schools. Meanwhile, security incidents are occurring in schools that must be dealt with now--perpetrators must be caught and consequences must be administered. School administrators would like to discourage security infractions by means of any deterrent available to them. One such approach sought more often today involves security technologies.

Fear prohibits learning. Security technologies are not the answer to all school security problems. However, many security products (e.g., cameras, sensors, and so forth) can be excellent tools if applied appropriately. They can provide school administrators or security officials with information that would not otherwise be available, free up manpower for more appropriate work, or be used to perform mundane tasks. Sometimes they can save school money (compared to the long-term cost of personnel or the cost impact of not preventing a particular incident). Too often, though, these technologies are not applied appropriately in schools, are expected to do more than they are capable of, or are not well maintained after initial installation. In these cases, technologies are certainly not cost effective.

Let Security Alarms of America help your school develop a plan that will integrate the right technology with an emergency response plan that enables your students to learn in a secure environment. We will help you meet your needs in the most economical way possible. Contact us today for a safer tomorrow!