How to Prepare Schools Now for Possible Reopening This Year

Coronavirus is top of mind for educators and school administrators as we work to determine how and when schools can reopen safely. And while controlling the spread of a dangerous virus is rightfully the primary concern, it’s not the only threat that students will be facing when they return to school.

Unfortunately, violence, bullying, break-ins and school shootings can occur at any time and under any circumstances. When schools reopen in Memorial, TX, make sure your students return to a safe and secure environment on all fronts.

When classroom doors reopen, you’ll have your hands full with fever screenings, mask checks, social distancing and other safety measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. That’s why right now is the best time to upgrade your campuses with security tools like gunshot detection, access control and security cameras. With top-of-the-line security technology in place, you can focus solely on keeping students healthy and well without worrying about other crises. Keep reading to learn more.

SEE ALSO: Why Your Grade School Security Is So Important

A Gunshot Detection System

There’s nothing more terrifying than a shooting on school grounds. And when a gunshot rings across the area, there are only minutes to take measures to help prevent the situation from escalating. A gunshot detection system springs into action the second a shot is fired on campus:

· The police are notified

· Tracking sensors pinpoint the exact location of the shot and notify law enforcement

· A campus-wide alert is transmitted via mobile phone or another communication device

· An alarm goes off to notify people of an emergency

With a secure gunshot detection system in place, teachers and school officials can focus on getting frightened students to safety while knowing that the police are on their way. In a time when we experience dozens of school shootings a year, and active shooter drills are a standard precaution in schools, a highly accurate detection system can help prevent unnecessary tragedy.

Access Control

On a day-to-day basis, the average school is responsible for the safety of hundreds of employees and thousands of students. Without a system to track comings and goings, it’s all too easy for an intruder or disgruntled ex-employee to slip in undetected. With a customized access control system, you can monitor all entrances and exits in the school, grant access only to authorized personnel and receive an immediate alert if a door has been tampered with by an unknown person.

Access control software allows you to log all employees, vendors and visitors into the system, so you can track when and where people are coming and going, and if someone is at the school when they’re not supposed to be.

In the age of coronavirus, an access control system offers another benefit: a hands-free solution. Doors can be locked and unlocked via keycard, facial recognition or fob system, which reduces the risk of germ transmission through doorknobs and handles.

Many schools don’t have a dedicated security force on hand — they have 1 or 2 security guards responsible for patrolling numerous buildings, classrooms, hallways and outdoor spaces. Security cameras overlooking parking lots, outdoor areas and entrances/exits can help cover the gaps that in-person patrolling leaves.

Today’s video surveillance systems come with sophisticated features like cloud-based storage for playback, and facial and license plate recognition software. High-end security cameras will display clear picture quality in sunlight and at night.

Video surveillance can be used to detect intruders, suspicious activities and bullying on school grounds. Even just the presence of video cameras and the threat of being caught may be enough to deter unwelcome visitors or students who are up to no good.

ASAP Security Services is a leading integration company in the Texas area. Let us help you install the newest technology that will keep our schools safer and protect our society’s most vulnerable members. Call us at (877) 418-ASAP or fill out our contact form to set up a consultation with our team. We look forward to working with you!