Invisible Protection

Window film helps to bolster security at Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

• By Jake Oberle
• October 01, 2018

Nothing is more important to organizations and schools across the country than the safety and security of their students. Ultimately, there are a variety of dangerous and unforeseen incidents that can arise and unfold quickly, making it critical to have reliable security measures in place. One of the main building features that needs to be protected are the windows.

While it is crucial to secure the main entrances and exits, windows are one of the weakest points on buildings and are integral to overall safety. However, 3M Safety and Security Window Films provide precious time by helping to deter unwanted individuals from entering your school or building.

SAFE CINCINNATI

More than 100 years after its founding, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati is the oldest continuously operating Jewish federation in North America. In addition to being a resource for Cincinnati’s Jewish population, the Federation aims to identify and prioritize the needs of the communities it serves.

With anti-Semitism and hate crimes rising, safety—especially at schools—is top of mind for everyone at the Federation. In 2012, in an effort to counter threats, the organization began a program known as “SAFE Cincinnati,” which was designed to constantly monitor and improve security at area Jewish facilities.

In order to increase security and remain vigilant, the Federation also hired retired FBI agent, Mark Dowd, as SAFE Cincinnati’s Director of Community Security. Dowd’s primary focus was to improve the security strategy at Cincinnati-area Jewish schools.

INSTALLING A SOLUTION

After reviewing existing safety measures, Dowd selected two 3M products to implement in Jewish schools—3M Scotchshield Safety & Security Window Film Ultra S800 and 3M Impact Protection Profile Attachment System. The installation of the window film and attachment system have been a key part of the effort to increase the overall safety of the schools. Although the window film is not bullet proof, it strengthens the previously vulnerable entry point of the window, and impedes easy access into the school.

“Glass is the weakest entry point on most building exteriors,” said Mark Dowd, director of community security for SAFE Cincinnati.

“We have locks on the glass doors, but what value were the locks actually providing if the glass could be simply shot out during an active shooter event?”

Window film is a clear security film that has a variety of safety benefits, including:

• Highly-specialized tear resistant microlayered polyester
• Thick adhesive that works to hold broken glass together, hindering anyone trying to break and enter a building through a window
• Reduces the threat of flying glass in the event of an explosion
• Maintains a high level of optical clarity
• Invisible to outsiders, preventing potential attackers from being aware of the additional security measure that is in place

Furthermore, by pairing 3M’s Ultra S800 Window Film with the 3M Impact Protection Profile Attachment System, buildings can achieve the highest level of glass protection. 3M Ultra S800 Window Film is designed to hold the glass together once it has been broken, while 3M Impact Protection Profile bonds the contained glass to the frame of the window. With the glass anchored to the window frame, the barrier between the active shooter or outside threat and the interior of the building is sustained.

In addition to providing the highest level of protection, the window film and attachment system offers a cost-effective solution for organizations that are working with a limited budget. Instead of purchasing brand new windows for the entire building, the level of security is increased simply by applying the film.

“The cost of impact-resistant windows was prohibitively expensive, but the 3M Ultra S800 Window Film and attachment system gives us another layer of protection,” Dowd said.

The film and attachment system were installed by a Cincinnati-area 3M Authorized Prestige Window Film Dealer. More than 2,000-square-feet of the school’s windows and frames were protected in just two days, saving both time and costs for the Federation.

IMPROVING THE WEAKEST LINK

When it comes to the safety of buildings, there are certain aspects that can easily be forgotten, including windows. However, any organization can establish a dependable solution by installing window films and attachment systems, which work together to counteract external threats.

The addition of safety window films and profile attachment systems to area schools have given the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati peace of mind by reinforcing overall security. From protecting against attackers and more, window films and attachment systems provide an invisible security protection that keeps students safe when it matters most.

This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Campus Security Today.