How to Upgrade Your School’s Outdated Video Surveillance System

Parents today are more anxious about their children’s safety than ever. And when you read about school shootings in the news, it’s easy to understand why. 

Video surveillance systems are an essential component of school safety. However, outdated camera systems installed in the ‘90s and early 2000s record low-quality video footage that is only helpful after an incident has already occurred. To be more proactive about school safety, you’ll need to upgrade to modern, smarter solutions. 

In this blog, we will discuss how Amarillo, TX, schools can improve their existing video surveillance system and how it will transform your school’s approach to safety. 

SEE ALSO: Detecting, Reporting & Fighting Guns in Schools 

First, a Surveillance Inspection 

The first step to improve security is to conduct a thorough assessment of the current system. We’ll walk through your Texas school and identify any blind spots or areas where camera video quality is poor. Once these issues have been identified, we can plan where to add new cameras or determine if the hardware needs to be replaced.  

Today’s high-definition cameras can capture much more detailed images and are better equipped to capture important information like license plate numbers or facial features. New cameras can also record clearer video in the dark, so you can protect the premises after the school day ends. Additionally, modern surveillance cameras often include facial recognition software to quickly identify individuals on school grounds.

Next, Add Video Analytics 

You want your new surveillance cameras to notify your security team about any unusual activity. After all, that’s what makes new cameras smarter than static, passive cameras of the past. But every little motion detected shouldn’t set off the system. That’s where video analytics saves the day. 

Video analytics software automatically analyzes video footage and alerts your system about potential security threats. For example, if the system detects a person in a restricted area, a notification can be sent to school security personnel. You can set very specific rules through video analytics, such as certain rooms being off-limits to students after a certain hour. This proactively notifies staff about breaches before it’s too late to act. 

Consider Remote Monitoring 

If your security staff doesn’t have the bandwidth to monitor all cameras at all times, or if you lack coverage at night and on weekends, remote monitoring can help. We permit your surveillance system to be remotely accessed by a monitoring agency with trained operators on hand 24/7. If your school’s system is tripped, an operator will review surveillance footage right away. If they see something suspicious, they can notify the authorities immediately.  

Ready for Smarter School Security? 

Improving your school's video surveillance system is vital to create a safe and secure environment for students and staff. By upgrading the quality of existing cameras, implementing a video analytics system, and establishing a monitoring system, schools can catch security threats before it’s too late. As technology continues to evolve, we’re finding better ways to protect our students. 

To upgrade your Texas school system’s cameras, contact ASAP Security Services today.