safety camera inside elementary school

[Anonymous]

Today, my DD got an accident at school and got a minor injury on her head. The accident happened at a doorway in the building. I wanted to know what exactly happened and asked the principle whether the school had safety camera. The principle told me that there was no safety camera in the building. I was surprised. According to the recent news reports, high schools, even Rockville high, have safety camera in the hallways. Does anyone know why elementary schools don't have safety camera installed in the school building? Do you think it is necessary for elementary school to install the safety cameras?

[Anonymous]

most elementery schools have no need to camera since most of the kids are not unsupervised. They cost a lot of money and I think parents are against camera at elementary schools

[Anonymous]

there not a lot of fights at the elementary school. so I guss that could be why

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:most elementery schools have no need to camera since most of the kids are not unsupervised. They cost a lot of money and I think parents are against camera at elementary schools

why are parents against cameras at ES while OK for high schools?

[Anonymous]

Are all the doors leading outside kept looked?
Who monitors the doors when they're unlocked?

[Anonymous]

If no one saw it; did it really happen? Less liability for the school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are all the doors leading outside kept looked?
Who monitors the doors when they're unlocked?

Public elementary school doors are never unlocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are all the doors leading outside kept looked?
Who monitors the doors when they're unlocked?

Public elementary school doors are never unlocked.

The kids climb in through the windows?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are all the doors leading outside kept looked?
Who monitors the doors when they're unlocked?

Can't answer for every school, but at ours, the doors are "open" during arrival only when monitored by staff on duty. Otherwise, they are locked. There is a camera posted outside the door and people who want to come in ring the bell/press a button, which activates the camera. The secretaries in the office get an alert on their computers with a view from the camera and can remote unlock the door for a few seconds. Staff have to use a keycard to get in, which they also use when taking students out/inside. The back door is kept unlocked during recess and monitored by an aide so that students can have access to the bathrooms and water fountain.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if the secretaries ever deny anyone entry. How can they possibly tell if the person is there for legitimate reasons or not. And of course like in Newtown CT, they can just shoot there way in..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are all the doors leading outside kept looked?
Who monitors the doors when they're unlocked?

Public elementary school doors are never unlocked.

sure they are. all morning before school starts when I drop my kid at the before care program - they are open. anyone can go in. I've always wondered about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the secretaries ever deny anyone entry. How can they possibly tell if the person is there for legitimate reasons or not. And of course like in Newtown CT, they can just shoot there way in..

They could in theory deny entry to someone who is known to be not allowed, such as a non-custodial parent that has been identified (this actually happened once, which is why I mentioned it). It also provides a record of who has gained entry, and if people know they are on camera, they're probably less likely to commit a crime or do some other dastardly deed. The office is also in full view of the front door, so they can see immediately and chase them down if someone comes in but neglects to come to the office to sign in and provide identification. The security measures are really just to cut down on unauthorized traffic, which in turn limits overall access, which limits the risk an negative incidents. Without the system, someone off the street could in theory walk into the school, grab a kid from the hallway, and be out without anyone noticing.

Of course, if someone is walking in with a machine gun intent on mowing down as many people as possible, such a system will have no effect, other than slowing down entry by a few seconds. That could be long enough for people to run, or for people in the office to grab the PA system and give warnings, which is what happened in Newtown.

[Anonymous]

Is your daughter not capable of telling you what happened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if the secretaries ever deny anyone entry. How can they possibly tell if the person is there for legitimate reasons or not. And of course like in Newtown CT, they can just shoot there way in..

They could in theory deny entry to someone who is known to be not allowed, such as a non-custodial parent that has been identified (this actually happened once, which is why I mentioned it). It also provides a record of who has gained entry, and if people know they are on camera, they're probably less likely to commit a crime or do some other dastardly deed. The office is also in full view of the front door, so they can see immediately and chase them down if someone comes in but neglects to come to the office to sign in and provide identification. The security measures are really just to cut down on unauthorized traffic, which in turn limits overall access, which limits the risk an negative incidents. Without the system, someone off the street could in theory walk into the school, grab a kid from the hallway, and be out without anyone noticing.

Of course, if someone is walking in with a machine gun intent on mowing down as many people as possible, such a system will have no effect, other than slowing down entry by a few seconds. That could be long enough for people to run, or for people in the office to grab the PA system and give warnings, which is what happened in Newtown.

OK..Thanks those are good points --quoted poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your daughter not capable of telling you what happened?

NP - but I never get a straight answer or the complete story from my early elem school kid. I can see why the parent would want more info.