Integrating Technology for Better School Security
Using new technology for better school security is not always easy because it is difficult to address the correct problem with the right equipment, there also exists economic issues, and mental unrest among staff and students.
School safety is an issue that has been concerning this country for many years. With the populations of our schools growing, the crime rates with in them have been as well. The student to staff ratio has greatly increased and there are concerns on how to regulate student behavior as well as crime prevention among students.
Along with regulating student behavior, more security issues need to be addressed in order to maintain a safe school. For example,
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When dealing with an issue that involves children and a place where they are supposed to feel safe, you need to consider the mental unrest of students, staff, and parents/community. High intensity equipment could make a school feel like a prison. The security systems are meant to make the staff and students feel more secure in their learning environment. Not to scare them into behaving properly or make them feel imprisoned.
Before technology should be used as a “quick-fix”, the school’s individual needs should be analyzed. If a school was to make a quick move to newer security equipment, they could create a false sense of security in the school. If the equipment does not address the correct problems, then the staff and students are under a false impression of security. The equipment that is purchased could be ineffective and costly. This would mean that the school spent more of its already low budget on equipment that is not serving a purpose.
Considering to use newer technology for a more secure school should not only be district specific, but school specific as well. Within a school district there could be several different types of schools. Those different schools will not always have the same security issues to address. Some schools may only have security problems vandalism or minor theft. Where other schools in that same district could be dealing with fights
Improvement in security will also contribute to a safe environment. High schools should implement the use of metal detectors as well as random searches. Although, it may be tedious to remove all metal and coins from your pockets, it will ensure safety. This security measure can be specific to each school. An example being to make the checks random throughout the week or only require it for students to have a late arrival. Random searches can also be specified such as only searching lockers or classrooms. Motion sensored cameras can also be a very effective with safety. In many school’s cameras are only in the hallways and lunchroom, but what happens when violence occurs in a classroom? All evidence will be based off hearsay. This is not an effective way of assessing the incident considering there are 3 sides to every story. Adding motion cameras to classrooms will make evidence accurate. Not only will student-student altercations be recorded, but teacher-student altercations will be recorded. Security guards themselves should also be improved. Security guards should be posted in hallways upon children arrival, during passing periods, and upon school dismissal. Security guards should also be fit enough for the job. “The results indicated that utilization of multiple security measures reduced the likelihood of exposure to property
School should install high tech safety features around their school like cameras or alarm systems. Talking to my cousin Kamalpreet about school security was a must because she goes to school where there were lots of crime-related issues. She always talks about what happened at their school. Kamalpreet said she witnessed lots of crime happening around their school and that their school doesn’t have any type of security arrangements. Many people fight at their school and no one is there to stop them because of lack of security system. She said “no matter what type of school it is they should have security arrangements for their school safety.” Also she said “that as new technology is on the rise and they should make some type of detectors to keep schools safe.” Every school should have some type of security and it is not cheap to get security systems. The whole issue is about money because they are too expensive, so not every school can afford them. There are many ways to raise money if school tries and that money can help with security. Raising money is always an option when it comes down to children’s safety. Teachers should keep children on the right track then they will go into right direction and that will help school as a whole feel safer. If teachers don’t teach anything then children will fight with each other and school won’t feel safe, but that is also up to the students. The Department
After the Sandy Hook, there were countless ways for students to be safe at school. In Preparing for the Unthinkable: School Safety after Sandy Hook news article, Vicki Bauman said, “ Instead of gates, guns, and metal detectors, let’s invest in the things we know will make us safer: counselors, health care, teaching positive behavior, and making sure we have services to reach out to disconnected youth and pull them back on track.” Therefore, violence is not the answer to any question or issue. The community and school system should take a stand and get the necessities that the schools need to have a safe environment for the students and faculty and staff. The school can invest in law enforcement. The law enforcement will be able to conduct a consistent search through a metal detector. The law enforcement will help the students to avoid bringing prohibited weapons to school as well as, there to protect the school.
It would be a wise idea for school administrators to have a comprehensive security assessment of the school’s physical design, safety policies, and emergency procedures. Once again this must be conducted with the cooperation of school staff, emergency personnel, students, and other school community members. Every school has different needs and safety plans may vary. According to the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police), there are twenty recommended actions that can be used to prevent violence in a school setting.
I have been a student in the Thomas County School System ever since I started pre-school. During my time here, I have loved every minute of it, learning and having great experiences with friends and teachers here. Over the last four years of my high school experience, I have noticed that there have been more threats of bombings and shootings around the nation. Even though we do have a safe school and take precautions, there is still room for error. I am proposing that we make school a safer place for kids to learn by installing bulletproof glass as well as door-stoppers in each class.
First and foremost, there could be many mephobia students that bring firearms and drugs can be a major problem locker searches could be good and useful for police to find it who it is a get rid of its students could even bring a firearm in different places in the school.
All of these attacks on school grounds could’ve been prevented by upgrading security and being more strict with
School shootings are terrifying and a big problem in today’s society. Schools have added lockdown drills, bullet proof glass and metal detectors. School should be a safe area for children to learn instead of fearing for their life. Instead of buying metal detectors and hiring more officers, there is a much easier solution in order to decrease and prevent school shootings. We have to be more alert about securing weapons at home and being aware of suspicious behavior at school in order to keep children and faculty safe.
They focus more about how safe people feel, while still making sure they are actually safe. To do so, they offer having security devices built within the structure of buildings. Having them with the walls makes it more discrete, so it will not affect the image of the building. They also mention having a balance between safety and an inspiring environment, which is one of the biggest challenges in modern day society. They also acknowledge the fact security measures taken will need to be consistently revised as technology keeps improving. This is useful to the essay because it discusses many of the issues possible solutions to security and can be applied to schools. It also widens the origins of research collected.
Next, we had security guards. I don’t really remember exactly how many we had, but they frequented problem areas of the school. The lunchroom was a major problem place, and the surrounding hallways where students would eat and do homework. There would also be security guards that walked around the “unfrequented” parts of the school. The security guards would also go outside and monitor the path, and the students crossing as well. Next, we had a desk at the front of the school with a security guard that doesn’t leave during the day. Vistors were required to sign in and report to the office. For awhile, we had a security guard that went around and looked around the parking lot, looking for suspicious things. Now, there is a van that drives around the parking lot keeping it secure as well. Next, we have to evaluate the potential risks and threats. At Grand Blanc, we didn’t have metal detectors, so being able to slip in with a knife, or something small, like this student did, would be a problem. Also, big bags such as purses, athletic bags and backpacks are problems as well because without metal detectors we do not know what are in the bags. Another potential risk is the unfrequented areas of the school. Even though there are cameras, there are enough cameras that you cant watch every one every time. With the unfrequented areas of the school, a student could create something destructive- it could be a considerable amount of time before someone passes by.
School shootings have become an issue in recent years, wreaking havoc on young minds and ending lives. There are perfect solutions to this problem but getting rid of all of the weapons in the world is unrealistic. So the next best option is using an armed guard to protect the students and staff in schools. Armed guards are efficient in protecting everything they are used for so why not use them to protect the children and college students of America.
During the past decade, school safety has been at the forefront of many school districts safety polices and plans. With recent high profile school shootings, the question school districts continue to ask is how do we keep our schools safe? Administrators face heavy scrutiny when weighing approaches to school safety and student discipline. Likewise, school employees have the right to work in safe environments devoid of life-threatening behaviors (Fenning and Bohanon, 2006; Skiba and Rausch, 2006). America’s founding fathers understood the importance of a public school education. They believed educating its citizens would allow them the opportunity to learn new skills while becoming successful and productive people in society. However, our founding fathers did not predict the severe behavior changes our schools face in educating disruptive and dangerous students. America’s school districts are charged with providing solutions for disruptive and dangerous students (Fenning and Bohanon, 2006; Skiba and Rausch, 2006). School officials must address these issues with research-based interventions and collaborative resources that provide a safe learning environment for all stakeholders (Elliott and Mihalic, 2004; Schoenwald and Hoagwood, 2001). Boards of education continue to support school efforts to rethink best practices for disciplinary alternative middle schools (DAMS). Many school districts focus on research-based interventions and resources that manage aggression and
With the many recent tragic school shootings, people are asking questions regarding if their children are under enough protection while they are at school. One of the biggest debate questions is: should schools have armed guards at the front entrance? This question has been answered by many people by giving their specific opinion. The question of armed guards in front of school has also been addressed on talk shows and to political leaders for their opinion. The answers that are given are either for having armed guards, or against armed guards standing in front of schools. Armed guard should not be posted at schools because it increases uncertainty and risk of student safety.
Public schools in Demarest, New Jersey allow live camera feed from their schools to go directly to the police department, reportedly making students feel extremely uncomfortable. According to Mr. David Rapp, “When word got out that administrators at Seaholm and Groves high school were going to purchase cameras… A band of students protested, saying that it is costly and promoted an atmosphere of distrust…” (David). In other words, students felt that the school was using the budget for an unnecessary purchase to feel more “Secure” when security had not been an issue that required that type of response. Privacy is more important than security in schools because it allows students to feel trusted, builds a sense of responsibility, and promotes an enjoyable atmosphere.
Schools need to maintain a disciplined and safe learning environment. There are many disciplinary actions that are in use today and although some can disagree about the amount of discipline that is best for maturing children, it is reasonable to be in agreement that a positive learning environment begins with physical and emotional safety. School safety includes a broad range of matters, including, fighting, bullying, drugs, alcohol, weapons, and etc. Many schools use varying methods in an effort to maintain school safety. Some schools limit school access and require all visitors to sign in. Physical surveillance is another common method of addressing school safety issues along with use of staff and student identification. Among all these