Unfortunately, Corpus Christi, TX, has experienced an escalation in violent crimes over the last several years. The city exceeds the national average, with over 734 violent crimes committed per 100,000 people. Fortunately, there are several methods used to protect the children in our schools from being a part of this statistic. One of the proven methods of protection is a school surveillance system.

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The Rising Use of Video Surveillance

Since the Columbine mass shooting in 1999, and the many that followed, schools have been increasing their safety measures. In the 2017-2018 school year, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 83% of public schools utilized security cameras to monitor their school. That number jumped to over 93% for high schools alone.

EdTech reported on a few schools upping their surveillance, including Warren County Public Schools, with 430 surveillance cameras watching over nine schools and approximately 5,800 students and staff. The technology director noted that the cameras enabled them to identify vandals after a break-in.

Cloud-Based Surveillance

Cloud-based surveillance means that there is no software to install. Instead, administrators can access the video feed from a browser-based dashboard via their smartphone or laptop. This becomes increasingly important in the case of an active shooter, enabling law enforcement, security, and administrators to access the live feed from wherever they are in the school or community.

Motion Detection and Recognition

Today’s surveillance cameras are becoming more advanced every year. They detect motion and can determine if the object is a person or animal. They pan, tilt, and zoom in on the subject, providing facial recognition. In addition, smart learning automation enables them to recognize suspicious behavior based on experience and alert school officials with immediate online or text notifications.

Additionally, they can identify hazardous items, elevated body temperatures, and flag people denied access. AI-powered facial recognition red-flags estranged spouses that no longer have custody, sexual predators, and other dangerous personnel. These abilities enable a proactive response, eliminating a problem before it occurs, instead of a reactive measure that only allows for a reaction after events and a possible tragedy.

When an event occurs, law enforcement can gain real-time surveillance, enabling them to pinpoint a vandal, burglar, or active shooter in minutes. Tracking continues and is relayed to first responders, saving valuable time that can make a tremendous difference in the outcome.

Questionable Activities

A school surveillance system protects students and staff from outside perpetrators and helps monitor the activities occurring in halls and hidden corners. Placing cameras in high-risk areas helps students feel safe, deters inappropriate student interactions and even drug use. Should a student start exhibiting strange behavior, staff notification provided by the surveillance system can result in prompt attention to determine if there is a medical emergency or drug activity.

As an industry leader, Circle Industries has been providing unrivaled and innovative security solutions for school facilities throughout Texas for over 70 years. We take pride in our accomplishments and are committed to securing and protecting our students and staff in Corpus Christi, TX, and the surrounding communities. For more information on school surveillance systems and other security measures, or for a complimentary video security network assessment, contact Circle Industries today.