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Home > School bus surveillance helps schools manage transportation security
August 17, 2005
By: Alice Osborn
Due to increased school violence and parental concerns
regarding bus driver behavior, school bus surveillance has
become more prevalent. School officials throughout the
nation are held accountable by parents to ensure student
safety on the buses, and by using video surveillance this
security can be assured. Honeywell's
Silent Witness school bus video surveillance solutions
and GE's
Interlogix BusSecure systems are examples of two
monitoring systems that school districts use for their bus
fleet.
School bus management has never been easy, but with
today's terrorist threats and gang violence, installing
video surveillance cameras on school buses is the next
logical step. Many school districts use multi-channel DVR's
(digital video recorder) that can record multiple camera
views both inside and outside the bus's entrance and exit.
These cameras also have audio, GPS location capabilities,
and can give real-time information regarding the bus's
speed, braking, and safety signal activation.
In the case of the Interlogix security system, the DVR
can start recording automatically in the case of an incident
because there are impact sensors, which date and time stamp
the images. The buses also have panic buttons, so that when
the driver hits that button, a market is placed on that
recording, making the incident easy to find. The one to four
visible cameras also can record audio, which is seen as a
privacy intrusion by parents, students, attorneys and civil
libertarian groups.
In fact, a class action suit was lodged against the Twin
Valley, Pennsylvania school district for using a video
surveillance system that recorded the student's
conversations on the school bus. Claiming the suit under
Pennsylvania's Wire Tapping and Electronic Surveillance Act
and Title III of 1968, the claimants stated that the school
district used the video surveillance footage to discipline
the students, which violated their privacy rights. However,
the claimants lost their case because the students did not
have an expectation of privacy.
Since the cameras are not hidden, students should know
that they are being recorded. Video surveillance as a
preventative measure on school buses has been shown to
enhance the management of problem behavior on the buses, and
the immediate video feedback helps school administrators
confront the individuals involved soon after incidents
occur. The video surveillance systems also provide liability
protection in case there is legal action against the driver.
Video surveillance systems are a long-term investment for
school districts that must be periodically maintained and
adjusted. If they are used properly, a surveillance system
can promote student safety, prevent discipline problems, and
deter vandalism.
About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your
definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV
cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.
Also See:
[ Pros &
Cons of Video Surveillance Cameras in Schools ]
[ Controversy Over Live
Traffic Cameras at Red Lights ]
[ Benefits of Live Traffic
Surveillance Cameras ]
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