NCJ Number
51369
Journal
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS Volume: 60 Issue: 397 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1976) Pages: 48-53
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SECURITY PROGRAMS FOR DEALING WITH VANDALISM, TRESPASSING, DRUG TRAFFIC, CROWD CONTROL, AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC, AND SUCH EMERGENCIES AS FIRES, BOMBS, AND STORMS, IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
URBAN SCHOOLS HAVE LONG BEEN PLAGUED BY VANDALISM, BUT SMALLER CITIES AND RURAL AREAS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. OVER A 4-YEAR PERIOD IN THE LATE 1960'S, VANDALISM IN SCHOOLS INCREASED BY 38 PERCENT. OTHER CRIMES IN SCHOOLS--ASSAULTS ON TEACHERS, CRIMES BY NONSTUDENTS, NARCOTICS INCIDENTS, ROBBERIES--OCCURRED WITH EVEN GREATER FREQUENCY. IN ATTEMPTING TO COMBAT THESE PROBLEMS, SCHOOLS USUALLY MUST FIRST FIND WAYS OF FINANCING SECURITY MEASURES. OFTEN A SECURITY PROGRAM CAN BE FINANCED WITH MONEY FORMERLY SPENT TO REPLACE OR REPAIR PROPERTY DAMAGED BY VANDALS. SCHOOL SECURITY INVOLVES MORE THAN THE PREVENTION OF VANDALISM AND CRIME. ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO ASSIST ADMINISTRATORS IN PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO SOUND EDUCATION. SOME SCHOOLS COMBAT VANDALISM BY HAVING CUSTODIANS ON DUTY IN THE EVENING. PROTECTION IN THE ABSENCE OF CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL USUALLY IS PROVIDED BY A SECURITY PATROL AND/OR AN ELECTRONIC ALARM SYSTEM. A SECURITY PATROL CAN ALSO ASSIST IN CROWD AND TRAFFIC CONTROL, DETECTION OF DRUG OFFENDERS, AND REGULATION OF NONSTUDENT ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL. MANY DISTRICTS USE CENTRALLY MONITORED SYSTEMS CONNECTED TO A LOCAL SECURITY FIRM. THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY PLANNING HAS COME TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE DESIGN OF NEW SCHOOL FACILITIES. STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN USED BY MANY SCHOOLS TO PREVENT TRESPASSING BY NONSTUDENTS. SUPERVISED ENTRY AND EXIT FROM PARKING AREAS OFTEN IS A NECESSITY. A GOOD SCHOOL SECURITY PROGRAM CAN ALSO LESSEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF CROWD VIOLENCE AT SPORTS EVENTS. EVERY SCHOOL REQUIRES A DETAILED PLAN FOR HANDLING FIRES, BOMB THREATS, SEVERE WEATHER, AND OTHER EMERGENCIES. SCHOOL SYSTEMS PAY FOR SECURITY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY HAVE A PROGRAM OF PROBLEM PREVENTION. THE EXPENSE IS EITHER FOR A PREVENTIVE PROGRAM, OR FOR THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT. (LKM)