Pa. District Bolsters Security With Intercom Buzz-In Systems

May 18, 2013 CS Staff

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In an effort to bolster security, Radnor Township School District has installed video intercom buzz-in systems from Aiphone at the main entrance doors of four schools —Ithan, Radnor and Wayne Elementary schools and Radnor Middle School. The systems were activated Monday, May 6 and all school visitors are now required to use them to gain access to each respective building during school hours. A security guard and a newly installed, shatter-resistant window protect the main entrance of Radnor High School.

Visitors are required to press the intercom button once to activate the system, wait for a member of the main office staff to reply, face the intercom, and advise the staff member of their name and purpose of visit. A monitor viewable by the staff member displays the visitor. Signs are displayed explaining how to operate the intercoms.

The intercoms are a result of a dedicated review of district security following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In addition to directives received from the School Board, community input was sought regarding ways to upgrade safety in the district. Meetings were also held with the Radnor Township Police Department and several district facilities committee and school board meetings addressed the subject. The installation of the intercom systems was a recommended security measure by several district and township groups.

In addition to the intercoms and new security window, another crossing guard has been stationed at Louella and Windermere avenues at the entrance of Radnor Middle School, doorbells have been installed at the Wayne Elementary School modular classrooms, more closed circuit cameras are now operational, and electronic school building access devices have been assigned to police on duty.

Also, staff members representing various departments throughout the district have met on several occasions to review crisis procedure resources and coordination. Most recently, the district hosted a crisis readiness program for local school district officials with Cheri Lovre, a nationally renowned crisis response expert and director of the Crisis Management Institute, at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit on April 17. Lovre, who aided in crisis management after 9/11, the Columbine school shooting, and other major international incidents, visited the district’s administration building on April 18 for a dedicated crisis readiness meeting with district staff.

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