School will be out soon! Summer will be here and the halls once filled with the voices of children will be silent.
Unfortunately, these silent halls become a prime target for burglars and thieves. Though many law enforcement agencies, step up their patrols during the summer months, they can’t watch all the schools, all the time. Is there a cost effective method to secure school property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Burglary Alarms
Motion detectors and door contacts have been the standard in school security systems for many years. Unfortunately, fax machines, plants or banners hanging from the ceilings and walls, cause the police to respond to many false alarms using these devices. This causes frustration, not only for the police department, but also the users who are called at 2 am to meet the police at the location. For the same cost, motion viewers can be installed to allow a monitoring station to see what caused the alarm, thereby verifying the alarm. And they can be used in varying applications including low light and outdoor locations. Law enforcement can respond knowing a crime is in progress with detailed information like the location of the burglars, description and number of intruders. However, if a bin of basketballs breaks loose during the middle of the night, the trained operators are able to see the motion and determine a false alarm freeing the police to respond to actual emergencies. Panic buttons can also be installed in key areas of the school, to have police dispatched with the simple push of a button and without having to use a phone.
Cloud Cameras
Camera systems have been very valuable assets to the schools who have utilized them. They can see everything from the smallest infraction to the disturbance that required the involvement of law enforcement. Most schools have their own security measures in place. But if an extreme situation occurs, how helpful would it be to allow law enforcement to see inside a building BEFORE they make entry? Using highly secure cloud networks, school officials can now allow law enforcement access to view cameras from a remote location. With live footage and the ability to view recorded footage, law enforcement can be aware of vital details to organize a strategic plan of action.
Access Systems
While the halls may not be as full through the summer months, schools may be used for other activities such as band practice, swim meets or day camp/summer programs. Access cards give staff, faculty and visitors entry to authorized areas — there are no codes to remember. Allow the summer band program access to the band room, but not the gym. Allow the swim team access to the pool area, but not the classrooms. And if one of the access cards goes missing, simply delete the old card and reissue a new card. No re-keying the doors and reissuing keys. Detailed reports can also be scheduled or printed as necessary to the time, user and point of entry.
Find out more about how these fully integrated systems can save you time and money with a free assessment.
