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Home > Video surveillance cameras in schools -- addressing student safety and security
August 17, 2005
By: Alice Osborn
Public schools have been equipped with video surveillance
CCTV systems even before Columbine. The reasons include
increased safety and security for students.
Installing video surveillance cameras in schools is a
costly project, and school districts must be sure that this
is the right route to deter theft, property damage, and to
prevent outsiders from entering the school’s property. Even
though most school districts that have implemented video
surveillance systems have faced privacy concerns from
parents, students and civil libertarian groups, school
officials assert that cameras curb crime and are important
sources of physical evidence when crimes do occur.
Why should schools use video surveillance?
Before secondary and middle school officials install
video surveillance systems to prevent vandalism, gang
activity, fights, trespassing or theft, they must sit down
and conduct a thorough inventory of their needs and security
concerns.
Important first questions to ask include:
- What security threats will the new cameras address?
- How will the surveillance equipment address those
threats?
- How will the system be maintained and staffed?
After this step is completed, school officials must weigh
the benefits and costs of their decision. Most school
districts agree that installing video surveillance equipment
will help students focus on their studies and not make them
worry about outside violence. The security systems run from
$500,000 per district for an analog system consisting of
CCTV (closed circuit television) monitors to million-dollar
IP-based systems with digital surveillance cameras connected
to a web network. The system’s cameras are generally placed
near entrances, hallways, stairwells, common areas and
parking lots that are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
Said Principal JK Johnson of Orange High School in Orange
County, California who had 27 cameras installed, "If it cuts
down the vandalism…I think it would be a wise expenditure.
It’s another set of eyes out there to help keep the school
safe if something were to happen."
Other benefits include:
- Provides school officials with information and
evidence that’s not otherwise available.
- The cameras deter crime and may lead some students to
confess to infractions that weren’t even caught on the
security cameras.
- The cameras allow school security personnel to do more
job-specific work, which saves money in the long run since
the mundane tasks will be performed by the security
system.
- Money is also saved from insurance premiums by the
reduced burglaries and vandalism.
However, costs remain and these must be faced with each
security system installation:
- The initial set-up costs, plus maintenance and
personnel costs may be too large for the school district.
- Privacy rights must be considered: no audio tracks
should ever be recorded, and the cameras should not be
placed inside of the school buildings. Civil libertarian
advocates must be assured that the system will fairly
monitor students and not become intrusive.
If the school districts do agree to purchase video
surveillance systems for their schools, they need to conduct
adequate research and planning in order to make the new
system constructive and beneficial for the students. And
once the security systems are installed, school officials
should evaluate their effectiveness at set times and adapt
to future security challenges and students’ needs.
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.
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