A task force, charged with uncovering weaknesses in existing security school systems in Knox County, Tennessee, developed a checklist survey and sent it to each of the 85 building principals. Displays some of the questions but advises involving community members in the process of creating a security survey. (MLF)

Students in school are no longer isolated from violence and unlawful activity. Lack of resources is hindering school officials' efforts to deal with the problem and keep campuses safe. The city of Eugene (Oregon) and Eugene Public Schools have implemented a jointly funded Safer Schools Program that added one campus monitor to each high school and…

Currently, there is no standardized level of training for school security officers. Recommends training that includes 40 hours of training before assuming a security assignment, plus an additional 40 hours each year of on-the-job training. Security people should be self-motivated. (MLF)

More than a dozen school district security directors from Suffolk County, New York, have banded together in the Suffolk School Security Alliance (SSSA) to share ideas about school security. One idea realized is a telephone tracking system to trace the location of any phone used to make a threat. Members pool their expertise to make a variety of…

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,…

The widespread use of weapons by teenagers has prompted forceful responses from school districts. Some have installed sophisticated security equipment; others increasingly are arming their security guards. (MLF)

Contracting for public services (e.g., social services, administrative functions, maintenance services, and health and security) is an attractive alternative for communities which could potentially undergo the boom/bust cycle of energy development. Typical communities surrounding new or proposed energy development projects (especially in the…

School systems need to have a uniform reporting system of security incident data. Analysis of the data can help the district decide whether to (1) do nothing; (2) employ local police; (3) contract with a guard service; (4) hire security professionals; or (5) combine above options. (MLF)

Presents survey information showing where school districts have invested their security budgets. Included are the rankings of the various threats school districts see as requiring security action and the areas most often covered by closed circuit television systems are pointed. (GR)

Chicago public elementary school students and teachers report a growing number of crimes and violent incidents on school property. This paper, which includes a lengthy literature review (14 pages), describes a study conducted to examine the opinions of one group of teachers regarding the safety and security climate in the school where they teach.…