significantly. CCTV systems have long been a mainstay of security personnel by providing a medium for surveillance, de- terrence and, where possible, identifica- tion of persons or vehicles. Today, these systems have gone modern via the use of Internet protocol (IP)-based systems that offer enhanced functionalities, such as remote monitoring capabilities. Because authorized users can view images from any Internet browser, school officials, IT staff, security guards and even police of- ficers when necessary and when granted access, can log on and view video. Im- ages can be viewed and managed from one centralized location or several dis- parate locations, depending on the needs of the school. This capability is critical when an incident occurs, as school offi- cials can rapidly pull up the video on their computer and watch the incident live or via recorded footage.
Smith places his trust in IP-based sys- tems, pointing out, “All of our new school buildings will be deploying this technology to safeguard our students, staff and the protection of infrastructure assets.” None too soon, as borne out by recent Statistics Canada data that shows about one-tenth of all youth crimes occur at school, and 30 per cent of those involve some type of assault. Of all youth crimes on school grounds, it’s estimated that about seven per cent involve weapons, in- cluding firearms. How much goes unre- ported is pure conjecture.
“Schools are microcosms of our wider society and that comes with all the nice el- ements and the negative aspects,” re- marks Stacey Andrews, manager of security and emergency planning for George Brown College in downtown Toronto. “We see incidents of theft, ha- rassment, graffiti, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, unwanted visitors and minor vi- olence. We are constantly monitoring what’s happening across our campuses and regularly reviewing and updating our strategic security plan.”
It’s a tall order for Andrews’ security team. Encompassing two campuses (with a third facility set to open its doors soon), George Brown College currently comprises 1.2 million square feet in 13 buildings housing 22,000 full-time students, 68,000 continuing education registrants, and
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more than 2,100 faculty members. To pro- tect its community, in addition to the in- stallation of emergency call boxes and panic button alarms throughout the campus grounds, the college has de- ployed more than 200 CCTV cameras to oversee exterior perimeters, parking areas, entrances, interior hallways, cafeteria and more. Andrews can access all cameras from her central control room desk. “It’s about peace of mind for students and faculty,” states Michael Finelli, the Mississauga, Ont.-based security manager for SimplexGrinnell, a leading innovator and provider of integrated security to many school boards across Ontario. “Schools are taking steps to address security and life-safety concerns. Our think-before you-act approach starts with a thorough assessment of potential risks and the existing life-safety infrastructure for an entire campus.”
“SCHOOLS ARE MICROCOSMS OF OUR WIDER SOCIETY AND THAT COMES WITH ALL THE NICE ELEMENTS AND THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS.”
“CCTV acts as another set of eyes out there to help keep the school safe if some- thing were to happen,” asserts Finelli. At the University of Calgary, Lanny Fritz, the director of campus security, agrees. He believes a layered approach to crime prevention is the way to go. His team of 36 security officers provides 24/7 coverage utilizing foot patrols, mobile patrol and bike patrol to cover 525 acres of university property, 60 buildings and 63 parking lots. The squad responds to about 23,000 calls for service annually, and documents 2,200 incidents yearly, using an electronic incident reporting system.
“Campus security and protocols to warn students of danger are always top of mind,” declares Fritz, adding that CCTV and building intercom systems are among the main tools his school uses for com- municating with staff and students in the event of an emergency. “But identifying potential situations before they arise is also crucial,” he nods. For the past decade, a
threat assessment committee has been able to identify staff and students who might pose a danger to others and have intervened and gotten them help – be it counselling or time off work that’s needed. “Two to three such situations occur during a regular academic year,” notes Fritz. “So far we have a 100 per cent suc- cess rate from the point of view that we’ve never had an escalation in conflict or vio- lence since we’ve intervened.” In working to avert criminal activity flashpoints, Fritz (a former Calgary Police Service officer) also credits the university’s other technological measures, including 70 CCTV cameras monitoring the entire campus, electronic access control sys- tems in buildings, intrusion and tamper alarm systems, as well as Safewalk and Working Alone programs. “We are consulted in the design of se- curity systems in all new buildings,” he says, adding the digital quality of IP-based cameras goes a long way to managing the university’s major risk factors. According to Fritz, theft continues to be the most fre- quent crime on campus, with annual losses totaling $300,000, with a 50-50 split between the university and private property (students), and risk associated with the behaviour of patrons in on- campus student bars.
“The Den (one of the largest student bars in Canada) continues to be both a challenge and a concern, with issues such as alcohol-related violence, sex offences and property damage having the potential to undermine the reputation of ‘feeling safe on campus,’” comments Fritz. Even with all the latest CCTV equip- ment and other hi-tech technologies, An- drews views school security as a delicate balancing act for school security per- sonnel.
“These are open institutions,” she says.
“We believe in being open to the public. As such, there’s no substitute for a visible presence, such as community policing and foot patrols, to promote communica- tion and interaction between our officers and students, staff and visitors. It’s our re- sponsibility to know what is happening within the walls of our campuses.”
Jack Kohane is a freelance writer in T
oronto, Ont. FOLLOW US ON AND • SECURITY MATTERS 19
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