College campuses bring together thousands of students, professors, and faculty members. With so many people in a closed environment, it can be difficult to identify potential security risks. However, safety of students and employees should still be of the utmost importance. Here are some tips to improve the overall safety on college campuses.
Check the Lights
Although it might seem minor, it’s important to make sure that all of the lights on campus are functioning properly. When an area is not well lit, it becomes an easy area for crime to occur. Dark areas can attract vandalism, theft, and assaults, as there is a low chance of being seen. Lack of proper lighting can also decrease campus members’ overall feelings of safety on campus. Making sure all lights are in working condition can be crucial to deterring crime and improving overall feelings of safety on campus.
Increase Security Patrols
It’s important to have well-trained security officers patrolling your campus with regularity. Visible security officers will improve the feeling of safety on campus and deter crime. If a security breach does occur, security officers will be able to quickly and properly address situations and respond appropriately. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to appropriately train your security officers, consider hiring private security officers that are pre-trained and ready to respond to any situation.
Utilize Access Control
When you make use of access control for building entry, it will keep buildings on campus more secure. It will be easy to monitor who is entering every building. With access control, you can be sure that only people who are supposed to can enter buildings. Typically, students and/or faculty members will be granted access through a campus ID that will unlock the door. Once they enter the building, the door will lock behind them.
An individual’s access can also be quickly shut off with access control. If a disgruntled former employee poses a sudden security threat, you can quickly shut off his access. If a student gets into an altercation with another student, you can quickly shut off access to each other’s dorms to ensure that no further altercations occur.
Update Security Cameras
It’s not enough to simply place security cameras around campus. You must make sure that all security cameras are up to date and that there are no gaps in visibility. When properly placed, surveillance cameras can help monitor the campus and identify any issues or possible security breaches. The officer monitoring the cameras can quickly alert security personnel when an issue occurs. After an incident, it will be easy to review footage in order to identify the perpetrator and address the threat to ensure that future security breaches do not occur.
Develop an Emergency Response Plan
In the event of an emergency, it’s crucial to have an emergency response plan in place. You should have a system in place, such as email or text alerts, that will notify all campus personnel immediately in the event of an emergency. Trained professionals will be ready to respond to the situation. You should make sure that all members of your campus know how to respond as well, with clear instructions. If you’re not sure how to develop an emergency response plan, consider hiring a security services company that can help you develop strategies and provide security training services.
Campus Risk Assessment
In order to improve campus security, a risk assessment is a great option. The assessment will reveal any holes in your security and gaps in your surveillance cameras. It will help you learn to monitor entry points and identify which services need to be upgraded. A risk assessment will help you create a strategy to improve your overall security on campus in order to keep everyone safe and secure.
United Security Incorporated | Security Technology and Services
At USI Integrated Solutions, we bring together a highly experienced team, keen strategic planning and in-depth understanding of the leading technologies in the field. For over 30 years we have brought peace of mind to our clients through the careful application of investigative talent and technology implementation.
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