Page 88 - Security Today, October 2019

CoverStory
Security Technology is a Top Priority
Gary Christian has been in law enforcement for 42 years, and he has never had to fire his service weapon. He wants to keep it that way. After 32 years and a retirement as a deputy chief of Detroit Police Department, Christian has spent the past 10 years with Detroit Public Schools, the largest school district in Michigan.
There is no secret to his successes. He is, however, sold on the idea that using the best technology possible will assist in keeping
K-12 campuses secure. That security starts at any given front entry. Detroit Public Schools (DPS) has been using IPVideo’s ViewScan for the past eight years with outstanding suc- cess. Crime has been reduced by 37 percent and even sharper declines in serious crime by 61 percent.
ViewScan has been the cornerstone in reducing campuses crime, including detect- ing a firearm. This technology has been vital- ly important for DPS as attendance has increased, and the solution is less intrusive, replacing the unwanted physical pat down by
staff if a weapon has been detected.
Making the Unknown, Known
Detroit schools have been faced with similar security issues as other schools nationwide. In the 2010-11 school year, a technology push was put in place, particularly at the high school level.
“DPS was facing heavy crime and various types of weapons coming into school,” said Rick Cadiz, the vice president of sales and marketing at IPVideo Corp. “The school dis- trict had been facing a situation where atten-
16 campuslifesecurity.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019