NCJ Number
203185
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 30 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 116,118,120
Date Published
October 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes Safe School Project, a pilot program in Clallam County, WA that utilizes state-of-the-art video technology to keep its county schools safe.
Abstract
Following the Columbine School tragedy in 1999, the Clallam County Sheriff initiated a partnership with the county schools in order to protect the county’s school children. Two of the main components of the resulting Safe School Project are its use of digital photography and video surveillance. First, digital photographs were taken of each county school, inside and out. These photographs were then stored in a database that can be accessed by law enforcement and school officials during an emergency. The locations of gas and water lines are included in this database. Second, video surveillance technology utilized for bank security was installed in one county school as a pilot project. Images from inside the school can be viewed in real time, allowing law enforcement officers to view an event as it unfolds. It is also possible to view events after they have occurred, which has already helped to clear up two incidents involving a staff member injury and a complaint about a vehicle. Finally, the article reports on the Clallam Response System, which is an Internet-based program operated by Tacoma-based Prepare Response, Inc. This system allows emergency personnel to access wireless information about a structure in which a disaster has occurred. Safe School Project is considered an innovative and effective program for school safety and Clallam County strives to install the video surveillance system in all county schools.