School Security Archives

5 Tips to Improving School Safety and Security

It shouldn't take national media attention of a crisis, such as a tragic school shooting, to make you think about your schools safety and security. We already know the dangers that face our students. It is our job to try to prevent these issues and be prepared to quickly respond to any emergencies when they do happen. Below you will find the Top 5 tips to help you improve school safety and security. School Safety & Security Evaluate the school campus for areas where safety and security could be improved. This might include adding additional lighting in the parking lot, the installation or repair of fences, security camera installation, or emergency power solutions. The first step to school safety and security is knowing what current problems exist and what you need to do to correct them. Create an emergency response team. In the event of an emergency situation, your staff [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:19:49-05:00School Security|

Thoughts and prayers to Newtown

OSSI would like to offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday morning. I know that we are not the only ones who could not stop thinking about this horrifying tragedy these last few, long days. Our philosophy and mission is to make the world a safer place so while this tragedy occurred a thousand miles away, it truly saddens us. We offer our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.

dave2017-04-26T10:23:15-05:00School Security|

Kids Safety Tips at a Bus Stop
Kids Safety Tips at a Bus Stop

School Security

Kids Safety Tips at a Bus Stop

Parents and caretakers should discuss bus stop conduct and kids safety rules with school-going children. Stressing the importance of these kids safety tips will help reduce the death rates that result from carelessness around and on the bus. Since we care about the well-being of the kids of our nation, we've created some simple kids safety tips focused on the bus stop environment. Kids Safety Rule #1 First and foremost, when waiting at the bus stop, kids should stay a safe distance of about ten steps away from the bus. It’s always important that kids understand the need to remain where the bus driver can see them before crossing the road or boarding the bus. They should cross the street in front of the bus and never behind it. Kids Safety Rule #2 Kids should always walk toward the bus stop and should never run to the bus. Additionally, when [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:22:29-05:00School Security|

Keep your school safe with security systems

School security is not something to be taken lightly. The past few decades have shown that violence in schools has escalated dramatically from the days of school yard bullies. A survey done in 2007 showed that 5.4% of students in grades 9-12 polled had carried a weapon onto school property. Of those same students, 5.9% reported that they avoided going to school because they were afraid. At OSSI, we believe that even one student carrying a weapon on school property is too much. Since 1966, there have been 90 school shootings which have resulted in 231 deaths (13 of the shootings did not result in a death). The United States has more school shootings than any other country, by far. For over a decade, OSSI has installed many school security systems in K-12 schools and Universities. The software and hardware, called Compass 6e, started off as a basic access control system and evolved to include integrated CCTV (closed-circuit television), intrusion and elevator [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:19:43-05:00School Security|

Educating teachers on school safety: Part One

This is part one of a two part series on how teachers can be educated on school safety to protect the future of our country: students. Many of the heroes of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting were teachers. In a time of intense crisis, they were able to face one of the worst possible dangers to their lives and their student’s lives: a shooter while not having any kind of protection. The result could have been much worse. Many of the staff at this facility were trained and educated on how to deal with this type of situation. While the government works out ways to protect schools by discussing gun control and other tactics, schools are still potential targets for crazed shooters. However, there are ways for teachers and school personnel to protect their school from shooters before they become targets; and while a shooting is in progress. Ways to [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:20:39-05:00School Security|

Educating teachers on school safety: Part Two

This is part two of a two part series on how teachers can be educated on school safety to protect the future of our country: students. View part one here. Once you are aware of a shooting in your school, there are some specific actions you can take to protect yourself and your students: Barricade your door: Move all the desks and chairs to the door. A normal shooting lasts seven minutes, so the shooters is not going to waste time trying to push through a door if it is barricaded. Contact authorities: Text or call 911, alerting someone that there is an attack going on at your school once you and your students are secure. Turn off the lights: This prevents the shooter from being able to see clearly through the door or windows. Hide: The best places to hide are to get on the floor against a wall out of line of sight [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:20:53-05:00School Security|

Using CCTV to protect your school

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) security monitoring systems have become increasingly popular as schools, businesses, government building, churches and private homes look to install video surveillance systems due to terrorist attacks and school/workplace shootings. As you can imagine, this technology can become outdated over the years; this is not necessarily a bad thing as companies come out with better technology that protects our loved ones. CCTV can help save lives because information on a suspect can easily be distributed to law enforcement and specific rooms of buildings. With the increase of school shootings, it is especially important for school districts to look into this technology. CCTV that allows access to law enforcement enables the police to know exactly where the suspects are inside the building. This knowledge also allows for medical aid to be distributed to isolated and secure areas of a school building. Saving lives comes down to seconds, not minutes [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:21:06-05:00School Security|

Effectiveness of metal detectors on school safety

There are numerous inquiries about metal detectors and school safety measures all year long, and usually they pick up after incidents of school violence that are heavily covered by the media. We get several questions about metal detectors: Are they effective? Is it a necessary addition to a school? Are they needed to ensure and improve school safety? All of these questions really depend on your school’s situation. Not every school district is the same. There are a lot of schools across the United States that do not use metal detectors and a vast majority of these schools never experience the horrific acts of violence such as Columbine or Sandy Hook. I think we all agree that violence has no place at a school, and if we lived in a perfect world, there wouldn’t be any violence in schools at all. But the sad reality is that there are evil [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:21:46-05:00School Security|

Additional considerations about metal detectors in schools

Our last blog post talked about the potential effectiveness of metal detectors in school. This blog post will relate to some arguments for and against using metal detectors that your school district should consider before implementing a metal detector system in your school. "Do everything we can to protect students" vs. "Not creating a prison-like atmosphere" This is a big component of the argument between getting a metal detector in a school. One side will argue that the school district must do everything they can to ensure student's safety. On the other hand, they don't want to make it seems like the children are going to a prison. School is supposed to be considered a safe zone; if students walk in and see metal detectors, does that really give a sense of security? Implementation Considerations There are many considerations to have when installing a metal detector as a source of [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:21:39-05:00School Security|

Are Uniforms Good For School Security & Safety?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of public schools implementing a school uniform has been on the rise over the last 10 years. In 2000, 12 percent of public schools required a uniform. In 2010, 19 percent of school principals reported that they had adopted a uniform for their students. School uniforms are considered by the NCES to be an "indicator of school crime and safety," and safety is a primary advantage of school uniforms. Uniforms alone cannot solve all of our concerns but they can be a very positive element to safety and discipline. However, a uniform policy comes with its disadvantages and over the years there have been numerous controversies regarding their use. School Safety Advantages Uniforms help to eliminate the socioeconomic tension that affects students who cannot afford the latest trends. Makes it difficult for gang members to easily identify themselves. Prevents [...]

dave2017-04-26T10:21:26-05:00School Security|