NCJ Number
184838
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 27 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2000 Pages: 72-79
Date Published
September 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An effective approach to school security includes crisis planning and partnerships between schools, law enforcement, and the community.
Abstract
Devising a school safety plan begins with a comprehensive assessment that surveys the school's physical design, safety policies, and emergency procedures. The assessment should involve public safety representatives (police, fire, and emergency services); members of the school community (teachers, administrators, and students); and the community at large. Police agencies can aid efforts to improve school safety by organizing a comprehensive school safety committee to assess community schools and evaluate equipment and technologies designed to enhance security. School violence data collected in School Safety Software can aid officials in evaluating school security. This software collects, tracks, reports, and analyzes data related to any incident that threatens the health and welfare of school employees or students in both violent and nonviolent scenarios. Identifying trends helps specify areas where security technologies or other methods to enhance safety may be useful. Technologies that can enhance school security include video surveillance cameras, entry control, and duress alarms.