Chicago-Area School Hires First Security Director

Chicago-Area School Hires First Security Director

West Aurora School District hires officer to increase security

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • November 29, 2018

Chicago-area school district West Aurora District 129 for the first time has hired a security officer to oversee campus security. Superintendent Jeff Craig introduced Officer Kevin Triplett to parents, students and faculty in a podcast distributed on the district website.

The West Aurora School District was one of several districts in 2015 to adopt a nationwide active shooter or intruder protocol called ALICE, which is a change in response from when students and teachers were instructed to hide in classrooms, lock doors and turn off the lights. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. 

The new security director has been developing plans and implementing strategies such as ALICE since he was hired on July 1. Triplett will oversee safety drills, address safety concerns at the different buildings and develop communication measures for parents with students.

As soon as he was hired, Triplett conducted training for all district administrators and has conducted safety school drills. 

Superintendent Craig said times have changed since he began his career as an educator 28 years ago.

"We didn't need to have safe vestibules, identification placards or badges to enter a building. This is a whole new premise about keeping students and staff safe and it is a priority. It is challenging and at times frustrating but it is not going away," Craig said.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars