With growing concerns about shootings and other acts of violence, school safety continues to be a major priority. While some schools have implemented stricter safety measures, other educational institutions remain open to threats. Opting for a guard shack can help prevent tragedies from occurring and can provide immediate support in the event of an incident. Here are 3 ways guard shacks can improve the safety of a school campus.
1- Preventative Measures
The mere presence of a guard shack can be a powerful preventative measure. This additional layer of security, ideally situated before the school's main entrance, can deter ill-intentioned individuals from selecting the site as a location to inflict violence or commit other crimes. Guards can check identification cards before permitting individuals to enter the building. Furthermore, schools can opt for modernguard shacks that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. For example, a computer-monitoring system can ensure that the exterior and interior of the building are constantly watched. Warning signs indicating that the building is under regular surveillance can protect against crimes such as theft and vandalism.
2- Central Communication Hub
A guard shack also allows the school to centralize safety communications. In the event of an incident or a threat against the school, the necessary resources will be contained in one location. The guard booth should also be equipped with tools to communicate with the appropriate officials inside the building. An intercom system, for example, allows the security staff to quickly contact administrators. Centralized communication and resources assist in streamlining school safety on a daily basis and in providing fast responses in the event of an emergency. Also, a centralized location allows the security staff to build a community and develop rapport. This type of culture can encourage security staff members to work together to develop educational programs to further enhance the school's safety. The team can also more efficiently address deficits in safety and plan for ways to fix those gaps.
3- Immediate Intervention and Response
The immediacy with which security staff members can respond to an incident is a critical benefit of having a guard booth on campus. If an ill-intentioned individual approaches campus, the security team can immediately intervene and stop the person from getting into the building. Also, despite even the strongest preventative measures, violent incidences can still occur in schools. If such an incident occurs, the security staff can be immediately deployed into the building. It's true that local authorities typically respond rapidly. However, even a few seconds can make life-saving differences. Therefore, having security personnel located on campus is crucial.
Skeptics may raise concerns about the presence of guard booths causing students, faculty, and staff to feel unsafe. However, the truth is that a guard booth on campus can increase community members' feelings of security. In addition to the psychological benefits, an on-campus guard booth also has quantifiable advantages, such as reduced response times during emergencies and an increase in safety-boosting resources. Guard booths are suitable for educational institutions of all types and for all grade levels, ranging from small preschools and daycare centers to sweeping college campuses.
