Lots of Unanswered Questions When Discussing School Security Issues

Lots of Unanswered Questions When Discussing School Security Issues

It seems that America is on high-alert when it comes to school and campus security with many schools, colleges and universities taking drastic measures to improve the safety and security for students, faculty and staff. I’m bombarded daily with article after article of what a certain school has done to increase their security measures, which I believe is the perfect response to all the school tragedies that American schools have endured over the recent years. However, when I receive news like I am about to share with you, I get extremely frustrated as I ponder about one unanswered question, “How?”

Early Friday morning, around 1:45am, three men and two guns not only got past the on-duty security official but managed to somehow breach the key card system that is required to enter into Kutztown University’s dormitory. (Hence, my question, “How?”)

Once inside the men knocked on one of the resident’s doors, and when the student opened the door to his dorm room, the assailants, dressed head-to-toe in black, forced their way inside. The men proceeded to search the room, strike one of the students and flee, without taking a single item.

Matt Santos, a Kutztown University spokesman told NBC, “These individuals bullied their way in and made their way to this particular room. It was definitely a breach of security.”

To which I immediately reply with, “Duh!? Now, what is the university going to do to enhance the security and safety of its campus, students, faculty and staff? How did the men get past not one but two layers of security? Who were the men that participated in this incident? Why did this happen in the first place? What is the university’s plan moving forward?”

(Of course, no answer is given as I am shouting at my computer screen.)

Fortunately, this incident did not result in any fatalities or major injuries, but if three men could stroll past a security guard and somehow alter the key card system, allowing them entrance, there’s no telling what could happen next. 

In the meantime, officials are left to put the pieces of this incident together to solve yet another campus security breach.

(Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/11/17274682-armed-intruders-break-into-college-dorm-in-pennsylvania?lite)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

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

New Products

  • 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.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”