Bigger budgets also allow schools to explore ways to enhance their security. Here’s how school districts and stakeholders can improve school safety going forward.
Funding for schools has always been something of a tricky issue. However, with better funding, schools perform better. Bigger budgets also allow schools to explore ways to enhance their security. Here’s how school districts and stakeholders can improve school safety going forward.
The Secure Schools Alliance
The Secure Schools Alliance (SSA) is a non-profit organization that seeks to strengthen ties between educators, industry notables, and state and local governments, all in the name of improving school safety and security across the nation. The group’s goal is to have safety standards look the same in every state. Here in Maryland, the Center for School Safety is what the SSA hopes to build on in other parts of the country. The Center does some of the following:
- Provides information on the best practices to implement, along with setting up programs and distributing the necessary resources to schools in different counties.
- Provide training.
- Collecting and analyzing relevant data to help determine the best ways to improve school safety.
Implementing Best Practices
Security technology such as metal detectors and cameras can help make schools safer, but school safety ultimately depends on the human element. When people talk, it can lead to tremendous changes that benefit everyone involved. While it’s tempting for schools to contract the services of private security firms, it’s just as sensible to communicate with local law enforcement and improve training for teachers and school resource officers so they’ll know what to do in an emergency situation while protecting the students and the school community as a whole. There are many free resources that schools can take advantage of as a way to start improving their overall campus security.
Planning for the Future
GovSummit took place this past June. GovSummit, short for Government Summit, served as an opportunity for the SSA and the Police Foundation to announce their findings on how to improve school safety. One way that these two organizations can better meet their goals is with increased cooperation from the federal government. Collaboration between all stakeholders will be crucial to ensuring the success of the movement. Ultimately, the best thing for schools to do is to open or continue a discussion with their local law enforcement authorities and first responders at both the community and state levels.
Trust the Professionals at ARK Systems
Located in Columbia, Maryland, ARK Systems provides unsurpassed quality and excellence in the security industry, from system design all the way through to installation. We handle all aspects of security with local and remote locations. With over 30 years in the industry, ARK Systems is an experienced security contractor. Trust ARK to handle your most sensitive data storage, surveillance, and security solutions.
Contact ARK Systems at 1-800-995-0189 or click here today. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!