Riverhead School District

Riverhead continuing to invest in security; 27% increase proposed

Security guard Fred Ligon mans the door by the gymnasium Monday afternoon. He has been a substitute guard on and off for 10 years while on deployment with the Air National Guard. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
Security guard Fred Ligon mans the door by the gymnasium Monday afternoon. He has been a substitute guard on and off for 10 years while on deployment with the Air National Guard. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

The market research firm IHS Technologies reported last year that spending for school security systems is expected to hit $4.9 billion nationwide in 2017, up from $2.7 billion in 2012.

According to a Dec. 27, 2014, article in The New York Times, schools across the country have increased security spending over the last two years for familiar equipment like “surveillance cameras, panic buttons and key-card entry systems,” as well as newer technology, including “bulletproof whiteboards to help teachers shield students inside classrooms and a smartphone app that starts a school lockdown with the swipe of a finger.”

On Friday, the Sandy Hook Commission created by Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy released its final report about current polices and recommendations to state officials. Topics addressed in the 277-report include mental and behavioral health services, school design standards and law enforcement, public safety and emergency response, among others.

During its Feb. 24 meeting, the Riverhead school board approved a $22,300 contract for BadgePass Visitor Manager Solution, a system that ID’s visitors, keeps track of their visits and can alert a guard to visitors who are convicted sex offenders.

Another feature allows the district to input orders of protection or court orders to make sure students aren’t picked up from school by someone they shouldn’t be with, Mr. Gresham said.

“If a person doesn’t belong in our building, for whatever reason, it won’t allow you to print them a badge,” he said.

Mr. Gresham estimates the system will be installed districtwide in about six weeks.

When asked if metal detectors have been discussed, Ms. Carney said that type of equipment isn’t currently part of the district’s security plan because it hasn’t been identified as a need.

As for buses, Ms. Carney said a handful of cameras were installed this year as part of a pilot program to make sure the two systems are technically compatible.

“The cameras are costly — about $2,000 each — and it will take time for us to outfit every bus with camera technology,” she said.

In addition to the investments in technology, Mr. Gresham said described his staff as the district’s “first responders” and said they act as liaisons between students and support services, such as guidance counselors.

“Our approach is to make students feel good about us and let them know they can bring us their issues and problems and stop them from growing into altercations,” he said.

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