INDUSTRY SPECIFIC INFORMATION--SCHOOL SECURITY

INDUSTRY SPECIFIC INFORMATION


	CONSUMER TIPS


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Exterior lighting should always meet minimum standards for security and comply with any local codes. Emergency lighting systems should exist within all school buildings and these systems should be regularly tested.

Security Related Documentation

Although in most districts, maintenance normally conducts an informal check of the school grounds and lights on at least a weekly basis, this is seldom recorded anywhere. By simply documenting these activities in writing and retaining this documentation, accountability is improved and the ability to successfully defend a premises liability lawsuit is substantially increased.

Additionally, it makes sense for a specific district administrator to confirm and prepare a written record of community standards compliance at least twice a year as a diaried project.

Security Personnel & Reporting Structure

In most cases, schools do not employ security officers per se and the line security function is delegated to maintenance workers. Typically the maintenance workers report to the school principal who is responsible for the security of the facility. Frequently, however, principals have no knowledge or background in security and may fail to respond correctly when hazardous situations are reported. For this reason, maintenance personnel handling the security function should have the ability to report such situations to a higher authority when principals fail to respond appropriately.

In some situations, usually only at high schools, full time security officers are present. It seldom makes sense to consider proprietary security officers to fill this role, due to the lack of back up capabilities. For instance, in most cases if a proprietary security officer becomes ill or takes a vacation day, the post will go uncovered. Other problems are usually present with any small in-house security force and a quality contract security service provider is usually the only realistic consideration. Low bid, minimum wage watchman services, which often provide subsidized untrained staff--and can actually increase exposure--should be avoided. A forty-six-page document concerning qualifying and selecting a quality contract service is available at the URL www.lpconline.com/???

Security Management & Outside Consultants

A specific person at the district administrative level should be designated as being responsible for the overall security of the district facilities. This should not be a shared function, since accountability is always critical in security, but this person should have a backup. Individuals being considered for this position must be highly motivated and report at a high enough level so that decisive action can be taken without excessive delay.

It is advisable that this designated "security director" consider membership in the American Society for Industrial Security International. In addition to attending relevant training courses available through this professional association, this person should be encouraged to become active in the local chapter of this organization. This usually gives this designated "security director" the ability to draw on the wide range of expertise available from experienced security professionals who are often capable of providing advice and recommending solutions to unusual problems.

In many school districts, no one at an administrative level has any background or experience in security and decisions may be made based on the incorrect assumptions shared by the general public.