Page 90 - Security Today, October 2019

CoverStory
the previous 15 seconds of activity to the alarm. Cameras also activate at the Com- mand Center. Officers at the Command Cen- ter then can activate video of all cameras at a school to know the exact place to respond.”
IPVideo Corp. took control of the manu- facturing, sales and marketing of ViewScan in 2018, and the most exciting part of the security system is that they have been main- tenance free the past eight years.
“This security system is a game changer in terms of school security,” Cadiz said. “DPS has an enrollment of nearly 50,000 students, and 106 schools, and close to 16,000 staff and more than 3,000 teachers. Reliability and security were at the top of mind when choos- ing a system to protect everyone.”
Christian said that now, even eight or nine years later, ViewScan remains a state of the art security system. He said times have changed in the security world and within the education vertical. Schools and school secu- rity staffs are looking for precautionary mea- sures to ensure a safe and secure school. What it comes down to are guns and people.
“People know we have this security sys- tem in place, so bringing a gun to school is the last thing on someone’s mind, or at least I hope that is the case,” Christian said. “With a concealed weapon or being caught
with a gun, this is a felony offense. Knowing this is in place also serves as a deterrent. People know we have them in place; they know they work. Since installing this secu- rity system, we’ve been lucky, but students also will tell us if there are guns on the way to school or if there is an intent to bring a gun to school. Students know their lives are on the line as well.”
Cass Technical High School
Two schools with the largest population of students have been the test bed for ViewS- can. Cass Technical High School has a popu- lation of more than 2,400 students. Demo- graphically, the student population is 85 percent African American as well as a diverse population of students of Bengali, Hispanic/ Latino, Arabic, Asian, and Caucasian descent. This demographic is reflective of the community at-large. The instructional staff also reflects a similar ethnic diversity. Cass Tech attracts its student population from the city of Detroit as well as the larger tri-county metropolitan area. Students come to school with a wide range of abilities, talents, and skill-levels. Our success is anchored in col- laborative, solution-driven decision-making which is inclusive of all stakeholders. We cre- ated a strategic plan based on best practices
to ensure improved student achievement and school success. The school has ViewScan at both the North and South entrances of the school. The school graduates 97 percent of its senior class.
Western International High School
Western International High School is located in southwest Detroit and is a safe haven for a diverse group of students. Being the only comprehensive high school in Southwest Detroit, Western serves as a feeder to the surrounding middle schools. We have a mul- ticultural community of students and staff to optimize support for success. The diverse enrollment includes one of the largest bilin- gual populations in the state of Michigan.
As it was built in 1813, it has served gen- eration after generation of students that have moved on to further education. This high school is a PBIS school and provides various services for students to succeed. In addition to staff support, Western has developed strong partnerships with various colleges like Wayne State University and Central Michigan University through their Upward Bound Programs that guide and assist stu- dents through their high school career.
The pathways offered include the Engineer- ing Mobility and TEACH (Technology, Engi- neering, and Clinical Health). In addition to the career pathways, Western has a great Vocational Tech program that allows students to get first-hand experience in the profession- al field of their choosing. This high school also has chosen to secure its student body with ViewScan at both entrances, enhancing the student experience on a daily basis.
All other schools within the district remain on the mind and collective con- science of the district’s police department and administration. Cost is a factor, as it is with anything, to outfitting schools with the proper security equipment. The plan is to protect all schools with the ViewScan secu- rity system. The system is monitored by security professionals; one armed and one unarmed, who watch the screen for possible unwanted objects. It is always about safety and security, Christian said.
“After 42 years in law enforcement, I’m at a point in my career where I want to see stu- dents getting a safe and secure education. I don’t want anyone walking out of here with a felony conviction,” Christian said. “And, I don’t ever want to have to pull my service weapon out of the holster. Kids need an edu- cation, and if we provide the security, they can come to school without fear.”
Ralph C. Jensen is the Editor-in-Chief of Campus Security & Life Safety.
18 campuslifesecurity.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019