NCJ Number
79528
Journal
Security Management Volume: 25 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 80-82,84-86
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
School security systems are almost universally unsuccessful. Usually consisting of alarm systems that are poorly designed and not tailored to schools' needs, they are undermined by the high rate of false alarms which reduce the likelihood of a response by police or school authorities and increase the likelihood that the systems will be disconnected.
Abstract
The credibility problem created by the high incidence of false alarms, the reluctance of schools to admit to failure in choosing a system and thereby to counsel other schools choosing a system and the frustration of having wasted money on an initial system and the hesitancy to spend on improvements are all characteristic of the school security dilemma. Many schools have alarm systms designed before 1976, most of which are unworkable. In addition, the systems are selected without proper planning and investigation into the specifications that are needed; the decision to buy is usually precipitated by a traumatic incident and the response is usually rapid and haphazard. Preparing specifications for school alarm systems is difficult because of the multiple large rooms. In addition, many systems can easily be tampered with or accidentally damaged by students, and the damage can go undetected. The most popular device, the two-part, surface-mounted magnetic switch installed above the doorway is especially ineffective for these reasons. Audio sensors and ultrasonic, microwave, and passive infrared systems require constant maintenance and cannot cover large volumes of space. The Newark, N.J., school system decided to make public its failure in choosing a half-million dollar security system and to seek the help of a consultant. Working together with school authorities, the consulting engineers were able to alter the existing system so that custodians are always aware that the system is either on or off, the system is more sensitive to inside noises while blocking out noises occurring outside the building, the magnetic switches are recessed into the wall, and a sequential switcher listens to each school in the system for a few seconds automatically moves on to the next.