The incidents of children bringing guns to school and causing harm to other students and teachers has made it necessary for some school districts to use metal detectors. The metal detectors not only help school security find and remove guns and other dangerous weapons, but they also act as a deterrent for children who may bring weapons to school but fear getting caught.
Surveillance cameras can help security officials see a crime in progress and perhaps put a stop to it, and they can also provide a detailed record of events to be used later by the authorities. Surveillance cameras can also act as a deterrent for any child considering criminal acts in school.
People entering schools where their only intent is to cause problems can be a source of school violence. With an ID badge system, only registered students and staff will be allowed to enter the building; visitors will have to check in with the front office before they can be allowed access.
Students can act properly in the event of an emergency if they know what they are supposed to do. Regularly conducted drills on what to do in case of a fire, terrorist attack or incidence of school violence can help children save their own lives and the lives of their classmates.
A presence in the halls during the school day either by a trained security force or by students who know how to react to a crisis can help to keep the school safe. If students will be monitoring the halls, have a plan in place that allows them to report a crisis to a responsible adult immediately.