Evaluating Campus Security Following California Hostage Situation

Evaluating Campus Security Following California Hostage Situation

The standard campus entry policy at the front desk did not deter him.

An elementary school in California was evacuated last Tuesday after an upset parent barged onto campus and held a first-grade teacher hostage for more than six hours. The standard campus entry policy at the front desk did not deter him, witnesses said, and the situation was brought to a close when a police SWAT team entered the school and shot him.

The parent, Luvelle Kennon, entered the front office at Castle View Elementary School and was “probably the most upset parent I’ve had,” said Stephanie Zolfaghari, the principal’s secretary. She would not allow Kennon to follow the standard safety policy of signing in and getting an identification badge, but he forced his way in anyway, entering the campus through an unlocked glass door as Zolfaghari called for a lockdown.

District spokesman Justin Grayson said the door was unlocked all day because it is the only point of campus entry, both allowing parents to enter the school and students to enter the office.

In addition, no school district police officers were on campus at the time. According to Riverside Police Department spokesman Ryan Railsback, Riverside United has eight School Resource Officers, each of whom is assigned to one of the district’s nine high schools as well as its associated middle schools and feeder elementary schools. Officers travel between their assigned schools as needed but spend most of their time at the high schools.

Though the district declined to comment on security procedures, Riverside United school board vice-president Patricia Lock-Dawson said they will be “reviewing the events in the days to come.” Grayson said that officials are not prepared yet to discuss any upgrades to campus security.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Report: Physical Security Market Turning to Cloud and Hybrid Solutions

    Genetec, a provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, today shared the results of its 2024 State of Physical Security report. Based on insights from over 5,500 physical security leaders worldwide (including end users and channel partners), the report looks at the security strategies organizations are putting in place to effectively navigate the realities of a changing industry. Read Now

  • A Future in the Clouds

    The cloud has become a pervasive term in everyone’s daily work and personal lives – from the explosion of content available on Internet streaming services to remote learning to social interactions. Everyone is living cloud-based lives. Read Now

  • A Rapidly Changing Realm

    Many retail operators continue to face a daily balancing act of maintaining both an online and in-person presence. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated our adoption of online shopping, and the expectation now is that every retailer needs to be proficient in both arenas. This places a heightened emphasis on secure operations that ensure a seamless experience for the customer no matter where they pull out their credit card. Read Now

  • Secure Your Home During the Holidays

    The most wonderful time of the year can easily transform into a nightmare. Being vigilant, while still enjoying the holiday season, is possible. The holiday season is the perfect time to start implementing security measures to protect one’s home and ensure security while out and about. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

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. 3

  • 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. 3

  • 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. 3