This article summarizes the accomplishments of research on school safety in the past quarter century, identifies important gaps, and indicates promising directions for further progress. Although closely related, there are distinguishable bodies of research on physical and psychological safety. Physical safety research concerns the prevention of…

Using data from the School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS), this report presents findings both on crime and violence in U.S. public schools and on the practices and programs schools have implemented to promote school safety. SSOCS collects information from public school principals about the prevalence of violent and serious violent crimes…

This report presents findings on crime and violence in U.S. public schools, using data from the 2015-16 School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS:2016). First administered in school year 1999-2000 and repeated in school years 2003-04, 2005-06, 2007-08, 2009-10, and 2015-16, SSOCS provides information on school crime-related topics from the…

This report on safety in Minnesota's secondary and postsecondary schools assesses and evaluates the impact of existing laws and programs on school safety and anti-violence and recommends changes in law or policy to increase safety and curb violence. The report is based on a 1995-97 survey of postsecondary students, interviews with campus security…

Key findings are presented from a survey conducted by the California Research Bureau showing that most California school districts incorporate violence prevention program curricula with a strong police and security presence. Many schools have installed closed circuit video surveillance cameras, canine searches, and metal detectors. Unfortunately,…

This report is in response to a Virginia state legislature mandate of a study of security on the campuses of Virginia public institutions of higher education. The study scope included institutional characteristics, security department characteristics, personnel and training, information about relations on and off campus, needs and concerns of the…

Explains what security officers do, how to hire and utilize them, and how they can help schools. (JM)

Discussion of violence in the workplace focuses on libraries. Highlights include types of violence in libraries; recognizing warning signs of employee violence; preventive action; and strategies for a safer library, including appropriate security systems and other devices. (LRW)

Contends that no issue has captured more forcefully the attention of the public than the increasing presence of weapons on school campuses. Discusses prevention and intervention strategies that show promise in stemming this national crisis. Includes a chart with both long- and short-term strategies for teachers and administrators. (CFR)

Guidelines for developing a security system that promotes safe and vandal-free schools are offered to administrators in this handbook. Areas covered are: (1) a security checklist; (2) identification of security needs and development of an action plan; (3) a school incident reporting system; (4) comparison of a secure and a nonsecure school; (5)…

Describes campus crime, including property crimes and violent crimes, occurring at Florida's community colleges from a systemwide approach. Discusses implications for security decision-makers at these campuses. Between 1991 and 1995, the average number of violent crimes across the system was 72 and the average number of property crimes was 2,154.…

Steps colleges can take to minimize the likelihood of violent crime on campuses are recommended, and administrative responsibilities are identified. Important basics are to inform campus members about security risks and about procedures for summoning aid during an emergency. While attending to educational values, colleges should consider whether…

This book is written primarily for elementary and secondary school administrators and teachers, but college faculty involved in providing teacher or administrator education would also benefit from the practical approach to issues of school security. Chapters 1 through 3 establish a framework for dealing with the myths and realities of school…

A study of campus crime trends from 1974 to 1990 examines the relationships between campus crime and college characteristics. The research drew on merged national databases containing federal crime statistics, community demographic data, and campus characteristics. The results show that campus rates of both violent crime and property crime are…

Among 17 conclusions and recommendations of a study on current policies and procedures related to campus safety at Florida institutions of higher education are the following: (1) there is a need for an expanded definition or additional category of crime for recording incidents involving students, either as victims or perpetrators, that occur in…