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| Why should schools use video surveillance? |
| From：mingfine Date：2011-10-17 Hits：1091 |
Before secondary and middle school officials install video surveillance systems to prevent vandalism, gang activity, fights, trespassing or theft, they must sit down and conduct a thorough inventory of their needs and security concerns.
Important first questions to ask include:
- What security threats will the new cameras address?
- How will the surveillance equipment address those threats?
- How will the system be maintained and staffed
After this step is completed, school officials must weigh the benefits and costs of their decision. Most school districts agree that installing video surveillance equipment will help students focus on their studies and not make them worry about outside violence. The security systems run from $500,000 per district for an analog system consisting of CCTV (closed circuit television) monitors to million-dollar IP-based systems with digital surveillance cameras connected to a web network. The systems cameras are generally placed near entrances, hallways, stairwells, common areas and parking lots that are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Said Principal JK Johnson of Orange High School in Orange County, California who had 27 cameras installed, "If it cuts down the vandalism I think it would be a wise expenditure. It's another set of eyes out there to help keep the school safe if something were to happen."
- Provides school officials with information and evidence that's not otherwise available.
- The cameras deter crime and may lead some students to confess to infractions that weren't even caught on the security cameras.
- The cameras allow school security personnel to do more job-specific work, which saves money in the long run since the mundane tasks will be performed by the security system.
- Money is also saved from insurance premiums by the reduced burglaries and vandalism.
However, costs remain and these must be faced with each security system installation:
- The initial set-up costs, plus maintenance and personnel costs may be too large for the school district.
- Privacy rights must be considered: no audio tracks should ever be recorded, and the cameras should not be placed inside of the school buildings. Civil libertarian advocates must be assured that the system will fairly monitor students and not become intrusive.
If the school districts do agree to purchase video surveillance systems for their schools, they need to conduct adequate research and planning in order to make the new system constructive and beneficial for the students. And once the security systems are installed, school officials should evaluate their effectiveness at set times and adapt to future security challenges and students' needs. |
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