It happened at 11:46 a.m. on a Friday, just three weeks before the Parkland shooting. A southeastern university issued a campus-wide emergency notification advising a gunman was on or near campus, and that individuals should seek protective shelter immediately.
- By Gus Porter, MPH, CPH, Jeff Karpovich, MA, CPP, CHPA
“You never think it is going to happen to you.” That was the first thing Jake Glacer said to me when we sat down to talk at ISC West.
Schools in South Texas are boosting security following the school shooting that killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School.
The University of Texas has stepped up its safety and security following violent incidents on campus.
Security on campus would be boosted since the incident happened so close to the university.
Since the fatal Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., some school districts in the Fox Valley region of Illinois are increasing security at their campuses. According to officials, some of the security upgrades were already in motion, but the Parkland shooting has heightened the focus on student safety.
The past decade has seen a cultural shift, where concerns over personal privacy have gradually taken a back seat to those of security.
Ensuring a safe learning environment is one of the top priorities of parents, teachers, faculty and administrators.
Campus security has always and will continue to be one of the most important verticals in the security industry. While many K-12, higher education, medical and worship campuses have boosted their policies, protocols and physical security as a result of tragic incidents on campuses across the country, the fact of the matter is: campus security is always evolving.
In light of the recent tragedies on campuses, many government officials and organizations have been calling for increased security on educational campuses. Perhaps one of the most controversial security measures to surface is the idea of arming teachers on campuses.
- By Patrick V. Fiel Sr., Sydny Shepard