At Val Verde Unified School District in Riverside County, California, security and vigilance is everyone’s job, says Christopher Wynn, Chief of District Security. “Although my department is the most visible part of our security plan, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety of our students. It’s our job to make sure the kids and staff feel safe because in order for the educational process to occur, everyone has to have a feeling of safety,” Wynn says.
Wynn has established a three-part system as a basis for the security plan he uses within the district. The first is using high-visibility deterrents such as uniformed security personnel and signage, “things that people can see to help them take security seriously in our district and know that there are security measures in place,” he says.