Security Cameras in Schools

School districts throughout the country are updating their standards and policies for safety. It is becoming the norm for districts to install security cameras at all levels of their campuses; elementary, middle, and high school. The cameras are used as an extra means of security and monitoring the campus. School districts are cracking down on bullying, theft, violence, vandalizing, and school shootings. Not only do the security cameras act as a deterrent against students committing crimes, but they also record evidence in the event that a crime was committed.

Last year in Louisiana, St. Tammany Parish School Board, planned to have security cameras as a part of their budget. The school district voted on whether or not to have the cameras installed on their school’s campuses. The vote was unanimous, and both school officials and parents were enthusiastic about the district taking a step to help improve and deter school violence. Each campus had anywhere from five to 25 security cameras installed throughout the elementary, secondary, and high schools. Some principals even used private school funds, separate from the district budget, to purchase more cameras for their campus.

Recently, there was an incident at one of the schools in the St. Tammany Parish School District. At Fontainebleau High School, there was a fight that erupted in the school’s hallway. Two girls were shoving and pushing each other after one of the girls came at the other girl with a curling iron. A crowd of bystanders began to cheer on the fighting girls and created quite a scene in the hallway. While other students were encouraging the violence, some stepped in to try to stop the fight. The principal was able to view the videotape the security camera had recorded and was able to make a decision on who started the pushing and shoving, who cheered on the violence, and who the heroic students were who tried to stop the fight. Not only are bad students caught on camera, but the school can also reward good students who exemplify good behavior.

Cameras in schools make staff, faculty, students, and parents feel safer while class is in session. Having the security cameras also allow school officials to make quick, concise, and authoritative decisions when dealing with troublemakers. Before, if an incident such as bullying or theft occurred on a school campus, it would take days to investigate what had happened and who was involved. School violence will become less frequent with the use of security cameras.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Security Cams, a leading online provider of wireless security cameras and hidden cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.