With the new school year starting, it’s important to consider a few aspects that don’t revolve around new pencils, and notebooks and backpacks. It’s time to think about campus security and if your child is safe when you drop them off each day. Whether your child is in middle school, high school or on a college campus, security systems and safety protocols are more important than ever. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “in 2012, there were 29,500 criminal incidents against persons and property on campus at public and private 2-year and 4-year postsecondary institutions.” Additionally, there has been an uptick in campus shootings and active shooter situations across the United States, a number that is unfortunately predicted to rise.
To help combat violence and vandalism on campus, active and up-to-date security systems not only act as preventative measures discouraging actions that could result in disciplinary and legal action, but also help educational institutions crack down on crimes that do take place through expertly placed CCTV cameras or other electronic security solutions.
By implementing and constantly updating advanced electronic security measures on a school campus, safety becomes a priority and helps to give parents a sense of security when they send their children off to school each day. In addition to security cameras, access control systems also help to monitor the comings and goings of visitors while technology linked to smartphones and other devices help to increase the immediacy of lockdowns when a threat is detected on campus. These security measures not only alleviate parents’ concerns, but also benefit their children as one study conducted by the Institute for Education and Social Policy finds that students who report feeling unsafe in the classroom consistently experience adverse effects on academic performance and have higher absentee rates. This September make sure your child’s academic institution is implementing the best, most up-to-date security systems to prevent and ensure safety through the school year.