The number of shooting incidents in the US is on the rise. As of September, there have been 262 mass shootings — almost one shooting per day on average. Among these incidents, school shootings are a hot topic. Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-profit organization, reports that a total of 65 school shootings happened all over the US as of October this year. The number was the total reported campus shootings in 2017.
Ensuring students’ safety is a major point of concern for school districts, administrator, and parents. Apart from training teachers and students on how to respond to active shooters, authorities are looking for ways to improve the schools’ physical security.
Industrial Fences with Cameras
Fences are a standard security measure of most school facilities, traditionally serving as a school’s first line of defense against intruders.
Chain-link fences, while often the most common and economical option, are arguably the least secure type of fencing. It offers footholds, making it easy to climb for anyone looking to enter school premises illegally. Its chain-links are also easy to cut using wire or bolt cutters.
Industrial fences, particularly those made of aluminum, provide better protection against trespassers. It’s hard to scale, knock down, or break while still allowing the people inside the premises to see anyone who may be lurking around the school.
Moreover, industrial fences can withstand corrosion and other adverse weather effects. It will require less maintenance and repairs over time, which may help offset part of its costs.
Experts recommend that school perimeter fencing be at least eight feet high. They also suggest half-inch-wide fence pickets to ensure it would hold against vandalism. Lastly, the installation of the latest surveillance cameras on top of fence posts wouldn’t be amiss. Authorities are informed faster about any intruders who may have entered the school grounds this way.
Armed School Security Officers
Increasing the number of armed security officers, also called school resource officers, are another way to improve school security. In fact, several Florida school districts significantly increased their spending on resource officers per school in response to the 2017 school shooting in Parkland.
Armed officers deter potential shooters and minimize harm in case of violent incidents. They also help students and teachers feel safer in school. Armed security school officers can train teachers and students on how to best respond to violent trespassers.
Bulletproof Doors and Sanctuaries
Companies and startups are making increasingly more high-tech door security systems in response to school shooting incidents. Bulletproof or armored doors are considered a last line of defense against violent intruders. One such company created an armored door that can stop bullets and identify the caliber of weapon used. Another entrepreneur has adopted a residential door barricade for educational institutions.
Installing bulletproof sanctuaries inside classrooms raises the students’ chances of survival. It also offers a sense of security among teachers and students, especially the younger ones. As a bonus, these structures also serve as shelters in case of extreme weather like tornadoes.
While no security measure can yet completely ensure the safety of students against shooting incidents, implementing multiple layers of security measures help give students, teachers, and parents greater peace of mind.
