Small Mistakes Can Cost You Big Time
Careless actions can compromise even the best programs and technology.
The door shown here was found propped open during a security audit at a school. This problem compromises an otherwise very good campus safety and security program.
The campus has a large number of security personnel on duty in the main entry area during school hours to conduct metal detection. This is done to prevent someone from bringing weapons to school. The district has also gone to considerable trouble and expense to improve the level of safety in the building, but the intended level of security has been compromised by a careless employee. It would be very easy for someone to smuggle not only a handgun but a rifle or shotgun into this school via this unattended and unlocked entryway.
The security assessment helped the district spot this type of vulnerability and address it through improved training, policy enforcement and leadership efforts. These efforts were important to bring the level of security up at the school by improving the way people use the facility so it matches the quality of the security equipment that had been purchased.
Efforts to find and address the weakest link in security can significantly improve the level of safety on campus. How does your organization find and correct these common gaps in security?
Photo courtesy Russell Bently, Safe Havens Int’l
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About the Author
Michael Dorn, Contributor
Michael Dorn serves as the Executive Director of Safe Havens International, a global non profit campus safety center. During his 30 year campus safety career, Michael has served as a university police officer, corporal, sergeant and lieutenant. He served as a school system police chief for ten years before being appointed the lead expert for the nation's largest state government K-20 school safety center. The author of 25 books on school safety, his work has taken him to Central America, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa and the Middle East. Michael welcomes comments, questions or requests for clarification at mike@weakfish.org. Note: The views expressed by guest bloggers and contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Campus Safety magazine.
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