Wisconsin Schools Improve Security with Federal Funding

Wisconsin Schools Improve Security with Federal Funding

La Crosse School District is improving safety and security on campus thanks to a grant.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • October 22, 2018

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has awarded the La Crosse School District more than $600,000 in school safety grants to upgrade school security and training for staff members.

Scott Johnson, safety manager of the La Crosse School District, said there are already several projects in the works including adding window film on the front doors of the building, updating its intercom systems and security cameras as well as looking into a visitor management system.

Johnson said he would like a visitor management system so that visitors would have their drivers license scanned and would be given an official badge to be able to walk through the building. 

Staff members are also being trained with a program called ALICE, which stands for, "alert others to danger, lock down, inform, counter, evacuate when safe to do so." This program gives the whole school a plan of action when there is danger. The whole point is to make sure every student can learn without worrying about safety.

Officials have also changed the way they do fire drills. If a fire drill is announced, students will not be asked to leave the building until a fire drill or an actual fire is confirmed to prevent an outside threat.


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

Most   Popular