The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies.
Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in healthcare and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall — and aggressive incidents are rising.
- By John Joyce
- October 01, 2024
Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect, has also been charged in connection with the attack. The 54-year-old father was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
- By Brent Dirks
- September 09, 2024
The healthcare industry is experiencing an alarming escalation of violence, including an increase in threats against healthcare workers. As a result, it is looking for ways to be proactive and protect its staff and patients. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of injuries from violent attacks against medical professionals grew by 63% from 2011 to 2018 and hospital safety directors say that aggression against staff escalated as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in 2020.
- By Monique Merhige
- September 06, 2024
CENTEGIX recently released findings from a nationwide survey of 530 K-12 educators and administrators that bring attention to the critical issue of school safety, including the pervasive concerns surrounding staff safety, recruitment, retention, and their impact on student learning and well-being.
An active shooter situation is often cited as being extremely rare among school violence incidents in our country. Nevertheless, when one occurs, it’s always devastating, often unpredictable, and evolves quickly. Whether at a school, a house of worship, or anywhere for that matter, one is still too many.
- By Mark Berger, Guy Grace
- September 05, 2024
Four people were killed and nine were injured hospitalized after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday.
- By Brent Dirks
- September 04, 2024
Anyone who’s ever set foot on a college campus has experienced it. The sudden emergence of a speeding car as if from nowhere. The whoosh of a car passing as you crane your neck before crossing the street. The lurch of your stomach as you realize that vehicle could have so easily collided with you. Erratic driving isn’t unique to the college-aged demographic, but it’s a predictable part of campus life. Students want to make it to class on time. Or they’re eager to finally get off campus after a long day. Either way, they’re often rushing. And the repercussions can be frightening, and even tragic.
- By Devorah Warner
- September 03, 2024
Most campuses do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a broader community like a town, a borough, a city, a county, or a state. As such, there are a host of external resources available to help them through a crisis: from emergency responders such as police, EMTs and firefighters to mental health counselors, local emergency management departments, and media outlets.
- By Dean Cunningham
- September 03, 2024
Laton Unified School District (LUSD) is a K-12 school district in Laton, Calif, located just south of Fresno in California's Central Valley. LUSD is comprised of four schools that serve about 700 students total. It's campus includes a preschool, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. As a small district with limited resources, LUSD was struggling to maintain its aging surveillance infrastructure across the district schools. Video cameras are a vital component of keeping students and faculty safe, yet the cost to maintain these systems was prohibitive.
- By Steve Prodger
- August 28, 2024
An overwhelming majority (96%) of parents in the United States support a mandate requiring schools to share security cameras with 911 Communications Centers during emergencies, according to a survey of K-12 parents. A federal mandate was preferred by 56% of parents, 29% wanted a community-level requirement, and 11% favored a school district mandate.
Mobile credentials, or the use of smartphones or other mobile devices to access secure areas, are increasingly considered as an alternative to traditional keycards and ID badges in schools. However, while mobile credentials offer several advantages, such as convenience and cost savings, there are also potential drawbacks to their use. To help aid schools in improving safety measures, let us explore the pros and cons of using mobile credentials for school safety and explain why it is important to always have multiple options in place.
- By Andrew Schonzeit
- August 01, 2024
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.
- By Drew Pacino
- July 18, 2024
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.
- By Ross Seeley
- July 17, 2024
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.
- By Bruce Canal
- July 16, 2024
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.
- By Jeremy Saline
- July 15, 2024
The former Uvalde school police chief and another former school officer were both indicted Thursday over their role in the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting. That’s according to the Associated Press.
Today, Convergint celebrates its 23rd Annual Convergint Social Responsibility Day, as nearly 10,000 colleagues across 220 global locations have the opportunity to spend the workday giving back to their local communities. This year’s efforts have resulted in a total payroll donation of more than $3 million and more than $500,000 in labor and equipment donations from Convergint colleagues, partners, and families. Additionally, 400 colleagues and partners will help complete the company’s largest STEP Up project to-date for the Douglas County School District in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Campus Security Today is pleased to announce the 2024 Secure Campus Award winners. Twenty-six companies are being recognized this year for products that help keep education and business campuses safe.
Public anxieties about school safety are escalating across the country. According to a 2023 Gallup report, 44% of parents fear for their child’s physical safety at school, a 10 percentage-point increase since 2019. Unfortunately, these fears are likely to increase if the incidence of school tragedies continues to mount. As a result, school leaders are now charged with two non-negotiable responsibilities. The first, as always, is to ensure kids have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Sadly, their second responsibility is to keep the children in their care safe from threats and physical danger.
- By Jason Russell, Ron Boezwinkle
- May 16, 2024