A Canned Approach to School Security

A Canned Approach to School Security

Can there be a “canned” approach to school security? According to Alabama’s W.F. Burns Middle School, yes, the strategy is all about the can…cans of carrots, peas, green beans, chili…any type of canned good you can think of.

Students are trained to block the classroom door with their desks during a lockdown situation; but, what if the intruder is able to get inside the classroom anyway? This is where the “can strategy” comes into play and the students resort to using the cans, throwing them at the intruder.

Parents of Burns Middle School have met this unique security strategy with mixed emotions. One parent fears that students will use the cans on other students to cause harm, while another woman gave her granddaughter aim advice.

“I’ve told her to aim for the face,” explained Deborah Carmichael. “Be sure she has enough behind it to knock somebody out to give her the opportunity to put some space between herself and the intruder.”

The cans will be kept in a special container in each classroom within the school, and students as well as teachers will participate in training to determine the opportune time to use the cans and how to use them effectively.

Whether this is an effective security strategy or not, I can’t help buy conjure up visions of Home Alone where Harry and Marv get hit in the face with paint buckets being thrown off a stairwell.

Image: Radu Bercan / Shutterstock.com

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • 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.

  • 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.