New surveillance cameras in West Aurora, Ill., schools will enable first responders to get a more solid picture of an incident before arriving at the scene.
As all security experts know, one of the basic principles utilized in securing buildings or institutions is controlling access onto the property and into building by using basic security measures such as security officers, fencing, bars on windows or electronic access control systems.
In the past year, highly publicized mass shootings — especially the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December — have made the call for armed security officers commonplace. To many, it seems logical to fight fire with fire; that is, using armed officers to combat armed criminals and prevent tragedies from occurring.
The role and value of private security officers has always been clear to those in the security business. But “guard jokes,” from cartoons to movies are taking a back seat to reality as Newtown and other (now routine) mass shootings awakened the general public’s consciousness to the value and need for trained, professional security officers.
