Survey Finds Money an Issue for Campus Safety and Security

  • Oct 22, 2010

Margolis, Healy & Associates (MH&A), a leading professional services firm specializing in the higher education safety and security sector, recently announced select key findings from its 2010 Campus Safety and Security Survey. The MH&A survey includes data collected from 232 administrators at many of the nation's top universities and colleges.

Among the most notable findings:

  • Nearly 70 percent of respondents had a moderate, low or no concern about the more common- place incidents such as natural disasters or chemical spills.
  • More than 30 percent of universities and colleges do not conduct regular or annual reviews of campus security resources.
  • Nearly 90 percent of respondents representing a diverse array of campus constituents cited inadequate budget/personnel as a main obstacle to being appropriately trained and resourced.

"We believe institutions are more likely to face critical incidents such as fires, chemical spills, power outages and weather-related emergencies, such as floods or ice storms," said Steven J. Healy, managing partner at MH&A. "Our survey results imply that many institutions are simply not paying enough attention to these types of high probability incidents."

"If this moderate to low concern is indicative of planning complacency and inaction, then this flies in the face of our evolving thinking about emergency management in the college and university setting and the congressional intent behind recent changes to the Clery Act, " said Gary J. Margolis, Ph.D., MH&A managing partner. "These revisions specifically underscore the need for an all-hazards approach to emergency notification."

"It's our hope that the insights gained through the survey will help higher education administrators make evidence-based decisions as they work to enhance their approach to campus safety and security," Healy added.

Roughly 25 percent of survey participants were affiliated with institutions of 25,000 or more students. The MH&A survey results include information and statistics from both urban and suburban/rural institutions (50/50 split) and from commuter and residential schools throughout the nation. Survey results can be viewed at www.margolis-healy.com.

Featured

  • 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

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.