Increase Overall School Safety With Video Surveillance

In recent years, schools have taken an in-depth look at their security measures to protect students and staff from increasing violence. These systems, however, do much more than protect against active shooters and intruders. They also support administrators and security regarding the everyday affairs that are all too common. From bullying to drug use, vandalism, and vaping, today’s surveillance systems increase overall school safety. 

Let’s explore what a fully integrated video surveillance system offers and how it’s protecting schools in Houston, TX.

SEE ALSO: Access Control: A School’s First Line of Defense

The Effect of Security Cameras

EdTech Magazine recently reported on the Lancaster School District, a district with 23 schools about an hour from Los Angeles. In December 2022, when they were deploying the new security cameras, school officials noted something remarkable—an immediate drop in the number of school fights before they’d even completed the installations. 

Deterrence offers a proactive measure, stopping incidents before they occur. It’s a known benefit of security cameras and, in addition to using video recordings as evidence, is one of the main reasons schools are upgrading their systems. These schools are adding additional cameras and ensuring they are visible. 

The Benefit of Smart Cameras and Video Analytics

One of the best features of today's cameras is video analytics. Cameras recognize the usual from the unusual and potentially dangerous situations. For instance, if they notice a group of students congregating in an unusual area, a text goes out to administrators and security. This pre-warning enables them to take immediate action before the situation escalates.

Should an incident occur, whether a fight or bullying, administrators and supervisors can review the footage and have concrete evidence regarding who started it and who was involved. They no longer need to rely on hearsay. The system also sends alerts for vandalism, vaping, or drug use.

Beefing Up Security with Integrated Systems

When video surveillance is integrated with other systems, like access control, they work together to create a safer environment. Through facial or license plate recognition, the camera detects someone on a no-access list entering school grounds. Immediately, the school goes into lockdown, protecting students and staff.

Smart cameras can also detect guns and knives, alerting security, administrators, and first responders. This significantly decreases response times and offers vital information, including the weapon, their location on a school map, and their identity.

These cameras can also track a suspicious person's whereabouts and keep law enforcement updated so they know their location before they even arrive. Video analytics can even search for a missing student.  

Camera Placement

In the past, schools may have installed a camera at the front entryway and in specifically vulnerable areas. Today, schools are covering much broader areas. Outdoor fisheye-lens cameras can cover a vast area with 360-degree views. On the inside, P-T-Z dome cameras monitor hallways, gyms, and cafeterias.

Of course, the type of camera and placement depends largely on each school’s unique setup. That’s where ASAP Security Services comes in. Our expert security team performs a site survey, determining vulnerable areas and making recommendations. To learn more about the latest video surveillance or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact ASAP Security Services today.