Maryland School District Adding Security Vestibules to Boost Safety

Maryland School District Adding Security Vestibules to Boost Safety

Maryland schools are adding security vestibules to better manage visitors.

Wicomico County Public Schools in Maryland are being proactive when it comes to securing their campuses.

Several high schools in the district are installing security vestibules at their front entrances.

They are going to be adding vestibules by constructing a new wall. Visitors from within the new vestibule will have to notify the front office that they have arrived, and if authorized to gain access to the school building, will be buzzed into the front office.

The schools want the new security measure to send guests straight to the front office instead of giving them the ability to roam the campus without first checking in with school officials.

"We see school shootings happen all over the place and the one thing we can't be is naïve," Paul Butler, the Director of Communications for Wicomico County Public Schools told local news. "It can happen anywhere. So we want to make sure that all of our schools are safe."

Construction on the new security vestibules began in the early weeks of summer and is expected to be finished by the time schools starts.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Shooter Still at Large In Brown University Shooting that Killed Two, Injured Nine

    Three days after a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two and injured nine, police are still searching for a suspect. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now