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.