Schools use a variety of methods to ensure the safety and security of their students, faculty, staff and visitors. These procedures are in place to deter violence and unnecessary situations using integrated modern technology. Such measures include monitoring doors and gates, using metal detectors and installing security cameras.
According to the 2021 state of security report, 62% of Americans use security measures to protect their homes. Nearly 100 % of the schools use at least one security camera to maintain security. To know how educational facilities deal with the issue of security, let’s run through some school security camera statistics.
How do schools ensure safety and security?
Schools and learning institutions monitor gates and entry/exit points to control or limit access to school campuses and connected grounds. This measure, coupled with the use of metal detectors, helps to restrict the behavior of students and visitors. Schools must understand and work to prevent any mishap and keep students safe on the premises to show compliance with safety standards. This is critical for educational facilities to maintain regular attendance and student/parent satisfaction. Furthermore, schools also use security technologies such as intercom and alarm systems, panic alarms, CCTV recording, and video surveillance. Based on research, more than 80 percent of public schools and more than 95 percent of high schools in the United States used security cameras to monitor schools during 2015-2016. This shows double use of security cameras in schools compared to a decade earlier.
What percentage of schools have controlled access to buildings?
The first and foremost need for security in schools is at the school entrance and exit points. If these areas are not secure, anyone can enter the building. Based on research conducted in 2017-18, security cameras school statistics showed that 95 percent of schools reported having limited and controlled access to school buildings. This is primarily done by either monitoring the doors or restricting access to schools during school hours. Public primary schools (97.5 percent) and public middle schools (94.7 percent) reportedly have higher controlled access to school buildings than public high schools (91.4 percent).
How many schools have security cameras?
When talking about school security, a critical factor relates to the number of schools that have security cameras. Considering the growing security needs and safety issues today, almost 100 percent of schools have at least one security camera on their premises. However, the use of security cameras depends on the location and population of the school. According to school security camera statistics, 77.9 percent of primary schools, 91.5 percent of middle schools, and 93.6 percent of high schools use security cameras.
In 2019, 86 percent of students aged 12-18 reported the use of one or more security cameras in their schools.
Which schools have a higher number of security cameras?
The security cameras in schools statistics show that high schools have a higher number of security cameras – 93.6 percent. Primary schools, on the other hand, have the lowest percentage of security cameras compared to middle and high schools.
What percentage of schools require teachers to wear IDs or badges?
75.6 percent of the primary schools require teachers to wear IDs and badges. Additionally, 69.3 percent of middle schools and 63.5 percent of high schools require teachers and staff to wear IDs or badges. Briefly, a higher percentage of primary schools requires students to wear uniforms, followed by middle schools.
What percentage of schools require students to wear IDs or badges?
The statistics of schools requiring students to wear IDs or badges are a sharp contrast to that of teachers. As per the figures, 6.0 percent of primary schools, 13.2 percent of secondary schools, and 17.6 percent of high schools require students to wear IDs and badges. It shows that high schools have a relatively higher percentage, followed by middle schools and then primary schools.
How do parents today feel about school safety?
In 2016, 89 percent of parents attended general meetings held by schools, and 79 percent of parents attended school or class events. Parents are significantly involved in the updates and progress of school safety. They are educating themselves more about the safety and security of schools and their children’s learning environment. According to the School Shooting Violence National survey, every six out of ten parents are worried about their child’s safety in schools.
Statistics on surveillance cameras in schools
In the year 1999-2000, only 19 percent of public schools reported using security cameras. This percentage significantly increased over the years. In the year 2015-16, 81 percent of the public schools reported using security cameras.
What is the percentage of security cameras in rural areas and cities?
Schools in cities have reported a higher percentage of use when it comes to security cameras. School security camera statistics show that 96 percent of the total schools in cities use security cameras to enhance the safety of children. Furthermore, 84 percent of the schools in rural areas reported the use of security cameras. Schools in rural areas have less use of security cameras as compared to schools in cities. NCES states that 17 percent of city schools reported at least one serious violent crime, while 8 percent of the rural schools and 5 percent of schools in towns reported some serious violent crime. Schools in cities are twice as likely to report serious crimes as those in rural areas.
What percentage of schools require students to wear proper uniforms?
Uniforms are an integral part of schools and help them in maintaining their security. If students come in proper uniforms, it is easier for schools to identify outsiders. NCES reports that 22.9 percent of primary schools, 18.0 percent of middle schools, and 10.4 percent of high schools require students to wear uniforms. Primary schools have the highest percentage of students wearing proper uniforms, followed by middle schools and high schools. A contributing factor to this statistic is the need for essential monitoring of younger children through uniform identification, given they are more vulnerable to harm.
How Are Security Cameras In Schools Helpful?
Provide enhanced surveillance:
Security cameras in schools play a fundamental role in ensuring and enhancing the security of students, teachers, and staff. They can provide a multi-angular view of the premises on a single screen. Fortunately, almost 100 percent of the schools today use security cameras. With the help of security cameras, schools have access to footage as well as school safety data and are thus able to provide the law enforcement agencies with tangible evidence in case of an accident.
Supervise student behavior:
Security cameras in schools provide a clear picture of students and their behavior on the premises. It is critical to monitor the behavior of students to maintain discipline and control. Supervising the behavior of students helps to prevent any mishaps from occurring within the classrooms or on playgrounds. School management can directly observe the behavior of students from internally located cameras to ensure the safety of children while on campus.
Supervise teacher behavior:
Apart from keeping tabs on student behavior, security cameras in schools also help in supervising teachers’ behavior. It is critical to evaluate how teachers behave in front of students, how they talk to them, and the overall classroom environment.
Alerting staff:
Security cameras in schools allow school management to consistently monitor activities happening in school. As soon as management detects any mishap, they can immediately inform the staff and take necessary action to resolve the situation. This minimizes the risk of consequential damages and aids in controlling the situation promptly.
Detecting criminal activity:
Students between the ages of 12-18 are more likely to be victims of violence at school. Public schools have between 85 percent to 89 percent recorded incidents of crime and between 46 percent and 49 percent recorded incidents of vandalism. 9% of schoolteachers reported that the students threatened them with an injury. In such cases, security cameras in schools play a vital role in detecting these cases.
A source of evidence:
In some life-threatening cases, schools may need video footage to present to law enforcement agencies. This is only possible when schools use security cameras in their buildings and throughout the campus grounds. Security cameras in schools are beneficial when footage is required to present solid evidence in a court of law. They are also integral for putting together a school security report that helps in further case studies on surveillance in schools.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, parents always want the best for their children, be it at home or school. When the question of school arises, most parents have only one concern on their minds – the security of their child. In present times, we often come across alarming news circulating on TV channels and social media about the increasing rates of crimes and security threats. And it is safe to say that the concern of parents is more genuine than ever. A safe learning environment helps children improve their abilities and make progress in their learning journey. The security of students at school is not just confined to school gates and entrances, rather it is needed to counter many problems such as violence, bullying, harassment, and substance abuse.
