Campus Safety

Campus safety has increasingly become one of the top concerns of university administrators and students. Being that most college campuses are like little private towns, a well-structured, organized, and prompt safety system is essential. University campuses range in size. Some are entirely self-contained, while others are mixed with public areas, neighborhoods, or cities.

Regardless of the type of campus, an independent 24-hour guard service is always necessary to prevent crime, trespassing, and other misconduct. Here are the essential elements of an effective campus security guard service:

1. 24/7 hotline - In order for students and faculty to feel safe and for security guards to receive updates on new potential threats on campus, 24/7 communication networks are key. A simple phone line and radio system is enough to instantly connect threats with solutions and reduce response times.

2. Manned gates - Gates are the best way to set a marker for the public, indicating that your property is private and not to be confused with the outside. Various forms and grades of fencing are available to prevent trespassing and other crimes. Gates should always be manned or monitored with cameras, ensuring that people who belong to the university and their guests could easily get in, and unwanted visitors stay out.

3. Video camera monitoring system - A well-placed video camera not only allows a security guard to monitor multiple locations at once, but also deters criminal activity. A video camera monitoring should be well planned and thought out, covering high-traffic areas and areas with increased risk. Ideally a video camera monitoring should allow security guards to detect the movements of individuals from one end of the campus to the other, giving guards the most data to detect potential risks or retrace the tracks of offenders.

4. Guard patrol - A robust guard presence could be established with a scheduled patrol. Guards could use a range of vehicles from cars to carts, in order to establish a secure perimeter around campus. A strong guard presence on campus is sometimes enough to prevent on-campus crime altogether, plus it makes students and faculty feel safer.

5. Education - Informing students and faculty about the best ways to keep their campus safety is crucial. Everyone on a campus plays a significant role in keeping the university grounds safe. Students who unintentionally leave ground floor windows or doors open, for example, may let in unwanted intruders. A robust information system should be set up through newsletter, meetings, and pamphlet distribution. Appropriate warnings should be left by gates, doors, and windows.