Louisiana School District Uses Cameras To Protect Schools

In 2008, a high school in Ascension Parish Louisiana was vandalized, which sparked a big change in how school officials handled security. The school board installed surveillance cameras in all public high schools to ensure the safety and security of students, teachers and staff.

The surveillance cameras were placed at strategic locations throughout the schools as a matter of security and safety of property.

Donaldsonville High School Principal Esrom Pitre said there have been some break-ins since the cameras installation, but the suspects were caught on camera.

“We were able to apprehend the suspects coming out of two classrooms,” Pitre said.

Donaldsonville was the first school in the district to deploy surveillance cameras, all of which were positioned so Pitre could see what was going on at any campus at any given time.

The security cameras are powered by a video management system from Video Insight.

The principal at Dutchtown High School said he is already learning new ways to use the system.

“We can instruct teachers, have your classes use this stairwell because all the others are trying to do through the middle hallway and it’s crowded,” said Principal David Alexander. “Essential to learning is that everybody feel physically and emotionally safe.”

The Video Insight VMS solution provides map and floor plan-based navigation, along with Web browser user interface. It also supports unlimited locations and security cameras. Even for security systems already in place or those in planning, the VMS supports both analog and IP cameras.

Video Insight VMS solutions are installed in more than 4,500 K-12 and college campuses, and offers easy navigation using multi-layered maps and floor plans.

“Our VMS solution is perfect for schools because it allows the district to use its current IT infrastructure,” said Robert Shaw, president and CEO of Video Insight. “Our platform is built on open standards using Microsoft .Net and SQL server, and we offer a U.S.-based technical service team.”

Featured

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.