Post-Columbine School Security Approaches
in York County, Pennsylvania
By
Jeremy P. Koller
Bryan Vagnarelli
June 30, 2003
Fifteen dead and twenty-three wounded; Columbine High
School, in Littleton, Colorado, fell prey to school violence.
On April 2o, 1999, the unbelievable occurred as this tragic
event took place in one of our nation's schools (School
Security). The Littleton tragedy became the driving force
leading to a national discussion on what to do about the
issues surrounding school violence. Columbine left a lasting
imprint in the public mind and served as an example of how
the country had fallen silent to a problem that was relatively
unnoticed until this event took place. Since 1999 there
has been a focus on improving and reducing these types of
problems in the learning environment. With school violence
on the "front burner." a variety of approaches
are being taken to combat the academic.
Physical security
Physical security encompasses all the objective measures
necessary to safeguard classified documents, equipment,
and material from access or compromise by any unauthorized
persons. In today's world, technology serves as one of the
simple solutions used to aid in the fight against the dilemma
of school violence. Video surveillance, metal detectors,
security lighting, and access control are among the common
examples of physical security measures.
Video cameras, when used as part of closed circuit television
(CCTV) systems, can be very effective in reducing and deterring
criminal activity on school grounds. Placement of the cameras
in areas such as entrances, exits, stairwells, main lobbies,
and hallways allows school personnel to keep a closer eye
on its ongoing activities. By simultaneous surveillance
of these types of areas, schools are also able to reduce
manpower costs. In recent years, advancements such as color
video and pan and tilt zoom features have provided a more
accurate coverage of specific area. This is useful in observing
and discouraging criminal activity (National and O'Sullivan
88-89).
Metal detection devices used by school security are mainly
employed to locate hidden objects that may be found in a
person's possession. The primary purpose of metal detectors
in a school scenario is to provide a way to expose individuals
concealing weapons such as guns, knives, and other metallic
paraphernalia that would cause harm to others or themselves.
A common misconception is that metal detectors can only
identify objects made of or containing metal, but, surprisingly,
they can detect any conductive material. On the other hand,
a standard metal detector unit used alone can not discriminate
between a gun and a metal belt buckle. In these types of
situations, the trained security officer will then use a
battery operated, hand- held metal detection device. By
using this wand close to the student or the body of a potential
gun carrier, the officer can usually determine the whereabouts
of the metal object by the squealing sound admitting from
the wand when it comes in close proximity with metal. When
trying to detect weapons in personal belongings, an X-ray
machine proves more effective than a human search. In these
cases, X-ray machines make hidden objects more visible and
the likelihood of human error is reduced.
Proper lighting, used in and around school property, is
often overlooked as a part of a physical security system.
It is one of the cheaper security measures on the market
and may also be one of the more effective deterrents to
criminal activity. Exterior lighting is essential in creating
a safe school environment. Lighting is one of the most efficient
ways to prevent crimes from occurring on school grounds
(Colorado). Because it raises the risk that they will be
caught in the act, a well-lighted environment creates a
deterrent for prospective vandals, thieves, drug dealers,
or rapists (Sowell).
Lighting also plays a key role in CCTV systems because
it eliminates the possibility of too much or too little
light in the camera's picture, which might cause the image
to not be as clear as it needs to be. Additionally, this
is especially important in identifying subjects for prosecution.
Patrolling security officers are used to deter crime; this
measure helps to decrease the likelihood of human error
that may occur by an officer who overlooks an area that
has been vandalized or broken into.
Some examples of types of lighting are continuous, stand
by, movable, and emergency lighting. Unlike standby lighting,
which is only lit during required times, continuous lighting
is normally found in a fixed position and is used during
the hours of sunset to sunrise. Movable or emergency lighting
is used as a supplement too and is more efficient than continuous
or standby lighting (O'Sullivan 84-85).
Access Control
In today's world access control has become a major part
of school security. Since the mid 90's schools have started
to take an active role against unauthorized personnel. These
trespassers can include a school's own suspended students,
students from rival schools, irate parents, gang members,
or local drug dealers. Many times these individuals try
to interfere with daily school activities and procedures
and may be subject to arrest. Methods of combating illegal
school access include student and faculty IDs, visitor identification
tags, vehicle parking permits, and proper dress for students
and faculty. This would make visitors stand out from other
persons on school grounds.
Greeters and hall monitors are used to help both students
and visitors efficiently find where they should be or need
to go. Unfortunately there are ways of circumventing greeters
and hall monitors. As a result, many schools are using additional
tools such as automatic locking doors, key card or access
codes, and also a minimum amount of entrances and exists
with alarm capabilities to further hinder intruders.
Liaison
Liaison is the interaction between the school community
and the law enforcement/security community. It deals with
the knowledge of each other's field of work, credibility
between the two groups and establishing mutual assistance
between school and law enforcement personnel. The purpose
of the liaison is to prevent and deter crime. Liaison also
helps the students know the law and creates a friendlier
environment to report crime and delinquency. The police/school
liaison, sometimes called a resource officer, not only serves
as a source of higher authority but also as a friend, counselor,
informant, referral agent, and educator to the public community
and school students and staff. If liaison can create a more
comfortable environment for the students, then crime and
delinquency will decrease (Colorado University at Boulder
Police Department).
Training
Security training within the school systems is another
key aspect in the ongoing struggle against school violence.
Standard school training programs inform the students and
faculty of the latest trends, strategies, and current policies
to help aid in the fight against unneeded violence. This
is a serious safety matter for all individuals involved.
Training is a necessity in prevention tactics and managing
violent behavior; this reduces the occurrences of harm to
students and faculty and improves the relations between
the school and the community.
Pennsylvania School Statistics
Through a statistical report done by the Pennsylvania Department
of Education the impact and prevalence of violence and weapon
incidents can be seen. The total number of incidents decreased
by almost 50% during the 2001-2002 school year. The only
school districts that increased in the amount of school
violence were York City, York Suburban, and Southern York
County. West York Area High School showed the highest decline
of violence in the school by an overall average of 79%.
The runner up was Eastern York School district with a 57%
decrease. State wide, the frequency of school violence and
weapon-related incidents decreased by 8.8% (Paida A1).
York County School Statistics
A recent study the authors conducted of high schools in
York County, Pennsylvania, showed a positive use of school
security approaches. The first part of the study showed
that 60% of the schools have cameras installed either inside
or outside the premises. All fifteen high schools in the
county had an access control point with locked doors and
visitor ID badges in use. Due to a funding issue, only 20%
of the schools had hall monitors or guards in place during
school hours. Throughout the county 73% of schools used
a standard voice/buzz in communication setup at the main
access control point. These security measures have been
installed or implemented an average of four years ago. Each
school district has instituted some type of assembly or
violence awareness program at least once, if not twice,
a year to inform both faculty and students of the current
problems. There has been 100% compliance throughout the
county in developing a security plan, and these plans have
been submitted to the local authorities.
When comparing the statistics from the 96-97 school year
to 01-02 school year, there was a noticeable decrease of
violence within the schools (State). The authors' recent
study clearly shows that the dramatic decrease in school
violence can be attributed to the change in the approach
to school safety. The survey the authors gave to the York
high schools shows that on average the schools started implementing
new security measures four years ago. There are other factors
that contribute to the positive results, but a lot of credit
can be given to the schools for their well-planned approaches
and new security features.
With the new Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB)law, schools
in Pennsylvania and other states are able to include school
attendance rates, incidents of school violence, drug and
alcohol abuse, student suspensions and expulsions in an
annual state report card (Pennsylvania Department of Education).
These and other statistics such as class size in each grade
and parental involvement in schools inform the public about
what goes on in the school on a yearly basis. This informational
tool is just a small part of a nationwide plan to establish
a definition of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
Conclusion
The Post-Columbine Era clearly shows an increase in school
security measures. Today, these measures are different from
years past. Even with the use of psychological interventions,
schools are still falling prey to terrible incidents. A
recent example was the shooting that occurred at Red Lion
Junior High School on April 24, 2003, when a student fatally
shot a principal and then himself. Although preventive violence
training and precautions have been put into place, schools
have yet to determine the motives or explanations for violent
behavior. Actual data on why violence is occurring is hard
to identify. The Red Lion shooting was unreported since
the reporting criteria is unclear (Smith, IA). We can hope
to decrease the violence progressively each year by developing
more effective ways to combat types of aggressive behavior
such as bullying. The real battle lies in determining the
source of violent behavior, intervening effectively and
implementing counter measures. These may be helpful interventions,
but physical security measures are still required. It may
be impractical to identify a future assailant if he or she
has no past or present indicator of violent behavior. If
a school system would act prematurely on signs of violence
without any actual violent events taking place, the administrator's
conduct could lead to litigation.
There is no 100% solution to the school violence problem,
but with the physical security approaches discussed and
the use of appropriate interventions, the school environment
will be a much safer place.
Works Cited
Colorado University at Boulder Police Department. 2003.
28 April 2003. Available <http://www.colorado.edu/police/contact/.html>.
Durantine, Peter. "Education officials release PA.
School Violence Report." York Daily Record 6
June. 1998: A2.
National Institute of Justice. 2003. 23 Feb. 2003. Available
<http://www.ncjrs.org/school/ch2a2.html>.
O'Sullivan, Dennis A. Protection Officer Training Manual:
Physical Security Planning. 6th ed. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann,
1998. 82-91.
Paida, Scott. "Assaults on schools staff up locally."
York Daily Record 3 Apr. 2003: A1.
Pennsylvania Department of Education. 2002. 26 June 2003.
Available <http://www.nclbinpafactsheets.com>.
Police Liaison. 2003. 18 Mar. 2003. Available <http://www.elkhorn.k12.wi.us/district/police/>.
School Security. 2003. 23 Feb. 2003. Available <http://www.bombdetection.com/school_security.html>.
Smith, Sharon. "False Security." York Daily
Record 26 June. 2003: A1.
Sowell, David. Lighting: Deterrent to Crime. 2001. 28 Apr.
2003. Available <http://asumag.com/ar/university_lighting_deterrent_crime/>.
Bio-Sketches
Jeremy P. Koller is currently a sophomore at York College
of Pennsylvania. He is majoring in Criminal Justice with
a minor in Psychology. He has served over seven years in
the United States Air Force.
Bryan Vagnarelli is currently attending York College of
Pennsylvania and is a freshman majoring in Criminal Justice.
He is a student member of ASIS International.
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