Massachusetts City to Add Surveillance Software to Schools

Massachusetts City to Add Surveillance Software to Schools

Taunton plans to spend the funds on new software to allow police officers to access surveillance cameras inside campus buildings.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • November 08, 2018

Taunton, Mass., plans to improve security in its schools by adding new video surveillance software using newly awarded federal grant money.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced Friday the award of $1.3 million in federal grant money to improve law enforcement equipment. Among the awarded communities was the city of Taunton, which received $20,000 in grant funding.

Taunton plans to spend the funds on new software to allow police officers to access surveillance cameras inside campus buildings.

"This would be the bridge between our network and their network," Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye said.

Hoye said the city wanted to be proactive and improve security for all its campuses.

"Taunton's a city with some older schools that don't have the modern designs, so anything we can do to kind of get around it and kind of close that gap with some of the newer buildings, we're gonna take advantage of that," he said.

The city had previously allocated the funds for the purchase and installation of the software. That money will not be used for more video surveillance and other security improvements in more than a dozen Taunton schools.

"It's so critical, I mean our children are our most vital asset and we have to protect our children and our teachers in those buildings," Hoye added.

Hoye said the city aims to have the new software installed and running within the new few months.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Lessons from the Field: Securing Campuses and Other Open Environments

    Securing large, open areas like college campuses or healthcare facilities is no easy task, and campus security teams often find themselves under the microscope. Fortunately, advancements in security technology have put valuable new tools in the hands of security professionals, granting them greater visibility throughout their environments and providing more accurate information than ever. Advancements in video analytics, body-worn devices, and other security technology has changed how many campuses approach security—as well as how they work with law enforcement. Read Now

  • Why Performing a Back-to-School Campus Security Audit is Vital

    The ‘25-’26 academic year will challenge campus security teams as they grapple with a range of heightened risks, potentially with fewer resources than before. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces ANSI-Approved School Security Standard

    ASIS International, a leading authority in security standards, is excited to announce the release of its American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved standard designed to provide a framework for developing, implementing, maintaining, and improving school security. The first comprehensive standard of its kind provides a critical benchmark for assessing and improving a school’s security posture regardless of size and funding. Read Now

  • High School Football Game Security

    The high school football season is scheduled to commence across the country in the coming weeks. The players and coaches have worked extremely hard preparing for a successful season. Students, parents, and the community are ready to support their teams. Read Now

Most   Popular