Educational institutions across the country are under increasing pressure to enhance campus safety via visible security measures. Though these additions are frequently intended to reassure parents and staff, in many cases, they’re just smokescreens. Schools inadvertently fall into the trap of "security theater": a term describing measures that provide the appearance of safety without actually reducing risk. Understanding the distinction between symbolic tactics and substantive school security solutions is the first step toward making smarter, more effective choices for students and faculty at your Brownsville, TX, campus.