Video surveillance cameras in schools - concern for student safety and security

Public schools have been equipped with CCTV systems even before Columbine. The reasons are increased safety and security for students. Installing surveillance cameras in schools is an expensive project and school districts must be sure that this is the right way to deter theft, property damage, and to prevent outsiders from entering school property. Although most school districts that have implemented surveillance systems have faced privacy concerns from parents, students and civil libertarian groups, school officials say the cameras to combat crime and are important sources of physical evidence, where the offenses occur.

Why should schools use video surveillance?

Before and medium-sized secondary school officials install video surveillance systems to prevent vandalism, gang activity, fights, trespassing and theft, must sit down and conduct a complete inventory of their needs and safety concerns.

Important first questions to ask are:

o What threats to the security cameras will be the new address?

As surveillance equipment or deal with such threats?

o How will the system be maintained and staff?

After this step is completed, school officials must assess the benefits and costs of their decision. Most school districts agree that the installation of video surveillance systems will help students focus on their studies and not worry about them out of violence. The safety systems operated by the district for $ 500,000 for a system consisting of analog CCTV (closed circuit television) checks to millions of dollars on systems with IP-based surveillance cameras connected to a digital web. System cameras are generally placed near entrances, corridors, stairs, common areas and parking lots are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Said Principal JK Johnson of Orange High School in Orange County, California, which had installed 27 cameras, "If you reduce the vandalism ... I think it would be a wise expenditure. 'S another pair of eyes out there to help keep the school safe if something were to happen. "

Other benefits include:

Providing or school officials with information and evidence that is otherwise unavailable.

Cameras or deter crime and can lead some students to confess to offenses that have not been caught on security cameras.

or cameras allow security personnel to the school 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 or reduced insurance premiums from theft and vandalism.

However, costs remain and these need to be addressed with the installation of security system:

The first, or set-up costs, plus maintenance costs and staff may be too large for the school district.

or the right to privacy must be considered: no music should never be recorded, and the cameras should not be placed inside the school buildings. Civil libertarian lawyers must be sure that the system rather than monitor the students and not become intrusive.

If school districts are in agreement for the purchase of video surveillance systems for their schools, they need to conduct proper research and planning in order to make the new system constructive and useful for students. And once you have installed security systems, school officials should assess their effectiveness at fixed times and adapt to future security challenges and needs of students.

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