School shootings and other violence that has occurred in various schools across the country have frightened parents and school administrators everywhere, and it is making everyone wonder, “What are the most important school security measures in order to keep schools, children and school faculty safe?”

It is important that people are pondering this question and are concerned enough to work to make a difference in how schools are protected from crime and violence. Although there is no surefire, completely fool-proof way to eliminate violence in a school, there are a lot of security measures that can be taken in order to keep children, and everyone who enters the school, including teachers and other faculty members, as safe as possible in today’s world.

Carefully Guarded Entrances and Exits

Monitoring who enters and exits a school is a good way to keep tabs on what is being brought in and out of the school and who is coming on campus. Although it can require extra manpower and be a bit frustrating, it is important to keep a close watch on everyone who enters and exits a school; although this measure might seem a little extreme, it can prevent violence, and it can also help keep children safe from abduction and other horrors.

First of all, school officials should ensure that surveillance cameras are posted at all of the entrances and exits of the school. They should also consider locking the door during school hours, making it necessary for someone to “buzz” people in as they approach the door. This will mean that a school faculty member must recognize, identify and let each person in and out throughout the day; this can help ensure that people who shouldn’t be in the school do not gain entry.

Identification for Those Who Enter the School

Each individual who enters the school should be asked to write down his or her name and show a valid identification card or driver’s license. Then, a visitor’s tag should be created, and each visitor should wear this tag while on school property; this can help school officials determine those who have not be properly cleared before entering the school so that they can take necessary action.

Ample Surveillance

Watching everything that goes on in a school can be tricky for overworked teachers who have classes to teach and busy faculty members who have to take care of the running of the school. Although it is certainly important for every faculty member to work to keep an eye on things, surveillance cameras can help. With surveillance cameras, those who work in the office can keep an eye on what is going on around the school from one central location. This will allow faculty members to spot problems more quickly, and it will offer video evidence in the event that a crime occurs on school property.

Safe Parking Lots

Many people don’t think about it, but the school parking lot is an extension of the campus, and a lot of crime can occur there is proper safety precautions are not taken. Therefore, it is imperative to keep the school parking lot, as well as any entrances and exits into the parking lot, as safe as possible.

For instance, surveillance cameras should be prominently displayed in the parking lot and at all entrances and exits; this can help school officials keep an eye on everyone who comes on school property during the day. Ample lighting for evening meetings and sporting events is also an essential.

Presence of Authority Figures

Keeping authority figures who are keeping a close watch for criminal behavior on the property can make a difference. School resource officers or trained security guards have training that will help them take care of criminal situations, and the sight of these officials might be enough to deter violence and crime. Having people whose job is strictly to keep an eye out for this type of behavior can also help ensure that no crime or violent activity is missed by members of the staff.

Metal Detectors

Metal detectors are becoming more and more prevalent in schools, and many people consider them to be one of the most important school security measures out there. Having students and parents alike walk through these metal detectors can help ensure that no guns, knives or other weapons make their way into the school, and handheld metal detectors can also do the job; although dealing with metal detectors can be frustrating and require extra manpower, this type of equipment can go a long way toward keeping schools safe.

Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the best practices in school security.