Security
Security measures are a significant component of schools’ safety and security plans and their overall approach to keeping students safe. These measures include security cameras, metal detectors, and drug sniffing dogs.
Administrators should carefully weigh the benefits of security measures against potential drawbacks for students and their learning. They should also be mindful of how security measures impact the community, as these can contribute to a school-prison pipeline.
Access Control
One of the critical reasons schools should hire security guards, like those school security guard Detroit MI is to help them control access to their property. For example, a school may have more than a dozen entrances, many of which are used daily by students, staff, and visitors.
These entrances could include classrooms, offices, storage areas, and laboratories, among other spaces. It would be impractical to keep track of all the keys and manage them with physical locks, so it is better to use electronic systems that offer multiple access control options.
The school can verify and authorize door access quickly and efficiently with an integrated access control system. It can improve security by preventing false alarms that waste time and resources responding to suspicious activity.
Monitoring
School security guards are critical to school safety and security and provide several benefits for the students, faculty, and staff who work with them. These include flexible schedules, a good work/life balance, and choosing when you want to be on shift.
To ensure the best possible safety, keep all entrances locked and perform regular inspections to identify suspicious or unwanted guests. In addition, use programmable lights that automatically turn on simultaneously when you’re away from the building or during after-school activities to discourage trespassers.
Schools should be well-versed in crisis management plans and procedures that include lockdowns, evacuations, and emergency communications protocols. These are vital to protect students and staff from emergencies that may arise at any time, regardless of location.
Communication
Communication is a vital aspect of school security, and guards must be able to communicate effectively with others. Whether it’s with contractors, students, or their co-workers, guards should be able to relay essential information during a crisis.
The two most common methods of communication used today are cell phones and two-way radios. These systems are designed to give security guards the ability to call for backup and communicate with their supervisors in emergencies.
Another way to help guards improve their communication skills is through training. Guards should be prepared to communicate with offenders and criminals calmly and de-escalate situations before they become dangerous or hostile. It can be accomplished by practicing tactical communication, which involves strategic planning and implementing different communication styles in various situations.
