The Essential Features in Today’s School Security Cameras

From a high school student recently injured in a shooting in Austin, TX, to the Dallas school where a shooter harmed four students, it can feel like we have a long road to travel before we gain control of school violence. 

At the school in Dallas, a student opened an unsecured door for the gunman, who immediately started firing. Fox 7 interviewed Craig Miller, a former Dallas Police Chief and current consultant and school safety expert, who shared what another school instituted after experiencing a mass shooting. 

They installed audible alarms and security cameras on all the exterior doors so the school knows who’s coming and going. By seeing what’s transpiring inside and outside the school, everyone gains a deeper understanding of what is happening at every moment.

Today, there is a significant difference in the various school security cameras and video surveillance systems on the market. No two schools are alike, and their surveillance systems should reflect that. Here, we’ll explore some key features that provide the greatest support in emergencies. 

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Effortless Sharing

To ensure the best response to a school emergency, law enforcement should be apprised of the situation as it unfolds. This requires instant access to live school security camera feed, a measure that can result in a timely intervention that prevents a tragedy. 

To that end, the best security cameras for these situations are cloud-based, enabling mobile and web browser viewing. School officials can set and change video permissions in an instant, giving district offices, police, and first responders the ability to view the live situation. They can select specific cameras or grant access to all cameras on-site. These videos should always be encrypted, ensuring privacy and protection.

Monitoring, Identifying, and Responding

Today’s smart security cameras learn as they monitor different school areas. Their intelligence enables them to identify threats, whether aggressive behavior, a large group congregating, or the appearance of a weapon. 

Once identified, they send an alert to administrators and security personnel, who then take action. This chain of events improves the emergency response, mitigating risks and maximizing safety. 

These solutions can often be integrated into existing video surveillance systems, supplementing current technology and maximizing schools’ investments. 

Detect and Deter

These cameras are also used in outdoor areas and around the perimeter. Should they detect a person after hours, they zoom in, capture a picture, and send it to school personnel. The cameras may also come with built-in lights and recorded messages. When they detect movement and spot a person, their lights turn on, and they let the person know they're under surveillance. 

When monitored by a professional service, two-way audio allows the monitor to speak to the person, letting them know they’re being watched.

At ASAP Security Services, we know it’s a continuing challenge to keep schools safe and secure while maintaining a welcoming, easily accessible environment. Today’s technology helps support that goal.   

As the challenges in our school system began to mount, we developed SECURED, a podcast that discusses the ongoing crisis with security experts, law enforcement, and school officials, working together to discuss the current climate and how to improve it.

To learn more about the essential features in today’s security cameras or to schedule a site survey, contact ASAP Security Services today.