Charlotte Schools See New Plan for Campus Safety

Charlotte Schools See New Plan for Campus Safety

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools plan to make schools safer in the aftermath of mass shootings.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • October 18, 2018

The climate of today's news has made school districts across the country think twice about the policies, procedures and security measures they have deployed on their campuses. For Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, $9.2 million is being funneled to the district to address school security and how to improve the overall security of the campuses. 

Mecklenburg county commissioners had approved plan this past summer, but held half the money until they received details. This week, Superintendent Clayton Wilcox outlined the items of the campus security plan. 

  • A panic alarm card system that will let individual employees send signals ranging from a student fight, which would summon school administrators, to an active shooter, which would alert emergency responders. 
  • Classroom cameras that can provide detailed, real-time information to police in case of an attack. 
  • Digital video cameras that will replace analog video to provide clearer coverage and monitor more areas including the exterior areas such as playgrounds.
  • New "limited fencing" at some high schools, designed to deter intruders and discourage students from leaving campus.

It is unclear at this time which schools in the district have been upgraded already and the exact rollout times for each of the campuses, but Wilcox said he hopes to have all the campuses hardened with the new security measures soon. 

About the Author

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

Featured

  • 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

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

Most   Popular