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Physical
Security
Most schools have intrusion detection and fire
alarm systems appropriate for their environments. However,
additionally, duress alarms are highly recommended for school
offices, so that assistance can be obtained discreetly in the
event an adverse situation develops. Response can be by
public sector law enforcement or school maintenance workers--or
ideally the option for either, or both.
Most schools have no property perimeter barriers, nor are such
barriers normally appropriate or even desirable.
Additionally, many campuses contain landscaping elements which
would provide places of concealment for intruders. While
shrubbery and other appealing visual obstructions should be
removed from high risk facilities, they generally offer limited
and acceptable risk in typical school environments.
In most schools, after classes are in session, building access
is limited (or should be) to one or two doors. However, in
many cases, these entrances cannot be observed by administrative
staff members. There are many ways to inexpensively
minimize this exposure. CCTV is usually the most cost
effective.
When school buildings are used for after hours activities such
as community education, it makes sense to have the ability to
restrict access to other areas of the building. Usually
the most convenient method for handling this internal control is
by utilizing portable "rolling" gates, which can be
locked into place in different areas of the buildings. In
all cases, a designated group leader should be held
contractually responsible for the activities and control of his
or her group.
Keyed lock systems have many vulnerabilities, particularly in
large districts. Microprocessing card access systems can
often provide long term savings, while significantly improving
access control and accountability. Relatively high priced
biometric access control systems offer no real advantage in
these environments.
Whether or not external CCTV systems are warranted depends on
the event history at the school, crime statistics and community
standards. When justified, such systems should include
high resolution color cameras capable of providing identifiable
images throughout the darkness hours. Prominently placed
signs indicating the presence of such systems can have a
deterrent effect, but under no circumstances should such signs
be placed when a CCTV system does not exist. (Likewise,
simulated cameras or "replicas" should never be used.)
Although there is seldom a justification for permanent internal
CCTV systems in elementary schools, in many junior high and high
schools these systems may be warranted. While this can be
a hard sell because of the perception that such monitoring is
intrusive, objections can normally be overcome by stressing the
rationale that the system is for the safety and protection of
students. Internal CCTV systems should only be considered
when justified by historic events or when problems are
foreseeable. Additionally, districts should have the
ability to install temporary clandestine CCTV units to counter
temporary security problems, such as a rash of vandalism or
increased theft from students' lockers. Obviously, CCTV
coverage should never include areas where students or others
have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
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