With the return of the academic calendar, campus safety has become a paramount concern. Incidents such as elementary school shootings, physical assaults, and escalating crime and drug rates within educational institutions underscore the increasing relevance of employing private school security personnel. The responsibilities of these officers are diverse. In discussions concerning school safety, a common pitfall for some districts is subscribing to prevailing myths regarding campus security. Please continue reading as we address and debunk these prevalent myths. Additionally, contact our security experts to secure your school campus this year.
What Are Common Myths Regarding School Campus Safety?
First and foremost, it’s far too common for people to correlate a school’s susceptibility to crime and attacks directly with the surrounding area’s crime rate. Even educational institutions situated in seemingly secure neighborhoods can fall victim to criminal activity and should therefore never disregard the inherent vulnerability of all school campuses. It’s crucial to acknowledge that school-related crimes encompass more than just active shooter incidents; they can also include acts of violence perpetrated among students. College campuses, in particular, have been observed to underreport incidents of rape and stalking significantly. What may initially manifest as bullying or hazing can rapidly escalate into criminal offenses, resulting in lasting harm and even fatalities. The presence of on-site security guards can be a well-established deterrent to campus crimes.
Another common myth is that students are not concerned about their safety. While students may not openly discuss their fears or seem distracted and often unworried about their surroundings, the presence of security personnel helps students feel safer, allowing parents to feel at ease and enabling students to focus on their studies without fear about their safety while on campus. The presence of security guards helps foster a secure environment. Students typically become aware of where they are posted and can readily communicate with them, requesting escorts to classes or parking lots on both high school and college campuses.
Furthermore, many erroneously believe that external threats represent the primary danger on school campuses. Unfortunately, college students are principally at risk from crimes committed by strangers. Interpersonal crimes such as assault, sexual violence, and harassment are more prevalent than commonly assumed at colleges. While external threats are indeed a concern, students should also be cognizant of the potential for harm originating from within the campus community.
The students of today represent our future, and it’s imperative that they experience a secure and protected environment during their time at school. At Port Security Services, we are prepared to help keep your campus secure. Connect with our team today for more information.
