If it seems like there is more tension surrounding school security lately, you’re not imagining things. Theres been so much horrific news – active shooters, guns in school lockers, gang violence – and many of us wonder if we’re doing enough to protect our children (our own kids as well as all kids in the society at large).
Schools are important institutions. As such, local governments as well as school administrators are looking for ways to increase school security without threatening students’ sense of safety and comfort. It’s a difficult balance.
School Campus Security Considerations
School security guards should be ready to act when necessary but stay out of the way of normal school life. If there are security guards present in the school, they should generally stay out of student view.
- Campus security must be reliable.
Security guards or security personnel should be consistently available. This means reliable hours and consistent posts so students or staff know where to find them.
- The security presence should not be overbearing.
Too much security makes students feel less safe. Elementary, middle, and high schools should not have roving security guards or a large number of uniformed security guards on campus. (One exception might be a large university with a sprawling campus, like UCF, USF, or UF.)
Is Your School Vulnerable?
Schools that are particularly vulnerable to security concerns and could potentially benefit from security guards include:
- Schools situated in industrial or commercial areas
- Schools in relatively poor communities
- Schools in large metropolitan areas
- Small neighborhood schools
Role of School Security Guards
Security guards on school campuses have specific functions to fulfill:
- Back-up administration to enforce school code of conduct.
Security guards can be especially helpful in deterring or addressing fights and crime including campus theft, campus violence and assault, drug activity, and gang-related activity.
- Bolster emergency response.
Security guards can lead or assist in emergency situations and school lock-downs. Situations that need immediate and professional action include active shooters, natural disasters, or catastrophic events (natural and man-made).
So how much is enough school security in Central Florida?
Finding the appropriate and most effective security scheme requires analysis of many factors including school location, neighborhood demographics, number of students and staff, surrounding area crime statistics, and more.
Administrators and concerned personnel from schools in Orlando, Kissimmee, Gainesville/Ocala, or anywhere within the larger Orlando metro area can call Apex Security, Inc. for answers about effective school campus security.
