Editor's Note
Old Schools, New Designs
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Nov 01, 2015
This issue of Campus Security & Life Safety has
an interesting take on security. I think I’ve taken
it for granted, but when you talk about camera
installation, you have to think about the lens
for the camera. Theia Technologies manufactures
lenses, and they’ve been doing it for quite
a while. They’ve even jumped into the 4K market.
The author, Andrea Iniguez, points out that oftentimes the lens
selection is not given much attention; maybe it's even an afterthought.
This is a huge mistake. The lens should be part of any due diligence.
I think you’ll enjoy this story, and it should be somewhat of a
refresher course for those who consult on what equipment should be
used to protect a campus.
That reminds me of a story out of Dallas where the Highland Park
ISD wants to build three new schools, replacing schools that date back
to the 1920s. Many are concerned about the loss of history if the
schools were demolished. I get that, but there is a genuine need for
more classroom space in the district, and the new schools could have
security systems built in place.
Looking at this from the historical perspective, these schools have
been listed as “most endangered historic
places.” Look, the old schools can’t meet
the needs of today’s educational demands
and don’t work well with the growing
population in the area.
From the security angle, building
new schools will allow contractors
to put the very best security
equipment in place right
from the start. In my way of
thinking, whether we’re
talking about the renovation
of an older school or
building a new campus,
security must be at the
top of the list for the students.
It would be easy
enough to preserve some
of the building’s history,
and a new security system
outweighs history.
This article originally appeared in the November 2015 issue of Security Today.
About the Author
Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.