Recent attacks on schools, public and private buildings have many parents, administrators and individuals feeling insecure about their safety. When it comes to keeping students, staff, and our loved ones safe, we have learned that this responsibility cannot be left solely to law enforcement to handle.
School districts, government facilities, and individuals play a part in preventing and mitigating crimes.
What more can be done?
As recent events in the news have shown us, variables in an attack can greatly affect its outcome: how quickly the police are notified, response time of law enforcement (or not at all), various modes of lockdown, as well as the ability to identify and track down an attacker(s). People are asking – what more can be done?
We at SMS Building Systems have some answers. As technology rapidly advances, there are new tools available for protecting schoolchildren, employees, customers and the general public.
Here are 5 advances that SMS recommends to their customers that can help in the fight to keep buildings secure:
NBC-10’s Matt Delucia talks with SMS Building System’s president, Steve Lulias about advances in technology that can be utilized in local schools to improve safety. Watch here.
Video Surveillance
The advancement of video surveillance is an effective tool in mitigating losses and apprehending suspects. Surveillance imaging is clearer than in the past, which improves its efficiency. It now has the capacity for:
- Object detection, as well as people-counting. These are helpful features in criminal investigations, as well as crowd control.
- Video cameras are now matched with other building security features, including door locks and lighting systems
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence’s facial recognition capabilities, paired with video surveillance systems, are highly useful in combating crime and fraud. The introduction of AI has hastened the identification, tracking and quick apprehension of criminals.
This technology can greatly improve law enforcement’s ability to respond to the actual threat, as they know more about the suspect’s activities in real-time. AI can:
- Track a suspect on a campus, in city streets, commercial buildings and more
- Promote quick apprehension of a suspect who poses a continuing threat to the public
- Track an insurance fraud suspect
Smart Access Control
Reader technologies have advanced that can allow or deny entry to buildings, its rooms or sections a building with Bluetooth communications. It also allows lockdowns of classrooms and perimeter doors with the touch of a button on an app.
Think of an employee termination. With cloud-controlled technology, administrators and officials can deactivate a person’s card instantly, deterring the potential for bad behavior.
Schools can use Access Control to manage the flow of students on campus. Some even use key card access as a way of tracking student attendance.
Ease of Use
Accompanying all these advanced tools is the new ease of use. While security technology has made great strides, keeping it simple is one of the features customers like the best.
From administrators and facility operators to business owners and law enforcement personnel, they can access these systems from anywhere – using smartphones or other devices:
- A shop owner who gets an alert on his/her phone of a potential intruder can watch a live video to see whether there’s an intruder – or an animal looking for a warm place to hide
- Law enforcement can watch a suspect’s actions from any computer device – in real-time or post-event
- Facility operators can lock down buildings and check the status of their security systems – from anywhere
Equipment Quality & Expense
While developing technology is an added benefit, those responsible for the health and safety of others say that quality of equipment and costs are equally important concerns.
Since 2006, SMS has been working with business leaders to help them make the best security and surveillance choices for their specific needs. First, we do a thorough analysis of their facilities and potential risks, as well as their security goals, then we provide cost-effective, customized options.
We also make sure that every product we install is NDAA (National Defense Authorized Act) compliant. This is an important designation, as this equipment has met high standards for safety and dependability.
We provide services the way we would like to be treated:
- No long-term commitments
- No hidden fees
- No bait-and-switch tactics
- No hard selling
Parents: Worried about your children’s safety and what your district is doing to make schools safer? Contact the district’s superintendent, principal or director of security. Questions about how to start the conversation? Contact us today.
School district superintendent, principal or director of security: Looking for a security assessment that fits your specific needs? Let’s have a conversation. Call (856) 520-8769 or contact Steve Lulias today