New Security Initiative Allows Police to Access School Camera Systems

New Security Initiative Allows Police to Access School Camera Systems

Police in Suffolk County, N.Y., will be allowed access to schools’ security cameras in case of an emergency in some districts this fall in an initiative called S.H.A.R.E. – Sharing to Help Access Remote Entry.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • June 25, 2019

Police in Suffolk County, N.Y., will be allowed access to schools’ security cameras in case of an emergency in some districts this fall, according to County Executive Steve Bellone.

The initiative, called S.H.A.R.E. – Sharing to Help Access Remote Entry – was created to allow school district to connect their camera systems directly to the Suffolk County Police Department. With SHARE, police would then receive real-time video camera feeds, maps and other images from school campuses, and in an emergency use them to watch and track active shooter or intruder activity.

Officials said officers could then be directed toward specific entrances and locations in a school building. Information could also be shared with other first responders, allowing law enforcement and emergency response teams to better coordinate rescue efforts.

"This connection will provide law enforcement the enhanced capabilities needed to respond more quickly," Bellone said. "We now have the tools in place to reduce response time."

There is not yet an estimate of how many of Suffolk’s 68 public schools have signed on to the SHARE initiative. West Babylon schools chief Yiendhy Farrelly and Elwood Superintendent Kenneth Bossert said their districts will have the program implemented by the time school starts in September.

Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart, citing privacy concerns raised by security cameras in schools, said police will only have access to the cameras during an emergency incident. The access will provide "responding officers with the description and location of the threat, which would be vital to apprehending the person and stopping the threat," she said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers