Does Your School Have an Adequate Video Surveillance System?
School Safety Measures and Funding Opportunities Are on the Rise
As many of you remember, a man was killed in a shooting near Townewest Elementary School in Sugar Land, TX, early in 2022, prompting a school lockdown. At the end of 2021, two different school threats in Fort Bend County left some parents concerned about sending their children to school.
In August 2022, before the school year began, school district officials, state legislators, and Fort Bend County law enforcement stressed school safety in a joint press conference. In June, Texas leaders announced allocating over $100 million to school safety and mental health. Clearly, the security of our school children and staff is at the forefront of everyone's minds after these incidents and the deadly school shooting in Uvalde.
Do your school safety measures offer the highest protection for those in your care? One critical element that promotes the safety of students, faculty, and staff is the use of a school surveillance system. Today’s systems offer advanced technology, securing a facility in once unimaginable ways.
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Schools Taking Action
According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, about 91% of public schools have security cameras. This ranges from about 88% in elementary schools to 96% in high schools.
The question school districts should consider is when these cameras were installed. Suppose it's an older system or does not cover every area, including parking lots, hallways, cafeteria, gymnasium, and classrooms. In that case, it may be time for an upgrade or an assessment by a qualified security team.
A Reliable Video Surveillance System
Today’s security cameras have dramatically changed over the last few years. Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), facial recognition, license plate recognition, and audio and video analytics help administrators and security personnel better manage access control and monitor classrooms, hallways, and parking lots.
These systems can detect banned individuals and vehicles, immediately alerting staff and security. They deter all crime, whether vandalism, theft, or violence, and can differentiate between suspicious activities and everyday occurrences. In addition, remote monitoring enables staff to monitor large open spaces remotely, an imperative feature in active shooter situations.
Funding Options
With school safety on everyone’s mind, local, state, and federal agencies are stepping up to the plate to help schools develop effective security strategies. For example, in December 2021, the Department of Justice announced almost $126 million in funding to advance school safety under the STOP School Violence Act.
Currently, multiple safety bills are being passed, many with associated grant funding. The Safe Schools Act, if passed, would allow $150 billion in unused COVID-19 relief funds to be allocated to schools for security measures.
At ASAP Security Services, we’ve been developing security solutions for schools, healthcare facilities, and government agencies throughout Texas since 1947. To learn more about options in school surveillance systems or to schedule a school security assessment, contact ASAP Security Services today.