5 Ways for Schools to Prevent Unwanted Visitors on Campus

Many school campuses are designed to be spacious and welcoming, with multiple buildings typically featuring several entrances and exits, along with large windows. There are usually a few secluded spots too, be it by intentional design or otherwise.

But while most school campuses are designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional, these same features can have a detrimental effect on campus security. Sadly, a school campus will likely have to deal with some unwanted visitors, in which case taking the right security precautions are important for preventing trespassers making their way onto the school grounds.

Here are 5 ways a school can prevent unwanted visitors on campus:

1. A Robust Fencing Perimeter

Installing a fencing perimeter is one of the cheapest yet most effective security measures for a school. By setting a firm perimeter around the campus grounds, any would-be trespassers are immediately deterred.  Electronically controlled automatic sliding gates can provide vehicle access for authorized personnel.

A fence and gate system will also help to filter any visitors through the designated entrances that feature the highest level of security, so any unwanted visitors will be immediately noticed in most instances. While fences cannot prevent all trespassers, the person’s presence will be a lot more noticeable should they attempt to gain entry away from normal entrances, such as by attempting to climb over the fence.

2. Include a Single Point of Entry

By limiting access to a single point of entry, you limit how much access an unwanted visitor has. With fewer ways to enter the school grounds, trespassers will either be completely deterred or forced to pass the high security spots, such as the main entrance of the campus. Here, security measures can quickly identify possible threats from any unwanted persons.

Of course, having just a single entrance is unfeasible in most campuses, so it’s important that all other entry points remain locked during class, with the only access permitted through the single point of entry.

3. Use Cameras and Intercoms

Cameras provide one of the best forms of a security for a school. Any unwanted visitor can be quickly identified when nearby or on campus grounds, especially when there is limited access that makes them more visible.

Similarly, entry points that cannot have strong security presence such as a guard can benefit from cameras and intercoms for screening any visitor, making it easy to identify those that shouldn’t be allowed entry.

4. Increased Staff During Peak Times

There are two points in the day when security risks may be higher in school – arrival and leaving. With hundreds of students making their way to or from classes, campus grounds become much busier, therefore making potential security threats harder to detect.

A higher presence of monitoring staff is a great way to reduce risks and help spot unwanted visitors. Schools may hire security or have teaching and support staff take on monitoring duties, although effective training is necessary for spotting threats and knowing the best responses.

5. A Comprehensive Visitor Management System

Screening visitors is one of the most effective ways to prevent unwanted access as it allows possible threats to be easily identified. Providing visitor access through basic paper management system can make it easier for unwanted to visitors to manipulate their way through, so a strong electronic system is highly recommended for most schools.

It allows the reception office the opportunity to thoroughly screen visitors using electronic databases. For instance, some can check the veracity of visitor identification, while others can flag individuals as threats prior to their visit, so if they arrive at the school they are identified as an unwanted visitor.

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