“Broward County Public School (BCPS) 13 Layers of Security.”
Raptor School Visitor Tracking System.
Single Point of Entry intercom/camera system.
Law Enforcement/Armed Guardians on Campus During School Hours.
Over 1000 Dedicated Safety Security & Emergency Preparedness (SSEP) Staff.
Perimeter Fencing Around School Campuses.
Cameras in School Campuses tied into District Security Operations Center(DSOC) and Broward County Sheriff’s Department(BCSD).
Open Gate Weapons Detection System in all high schools.
Drone System (Deployable).
Panic Alarms in Campus School Office.
Safer Watch/Alyssa Panic Alert Systems on computers and cell phones.
Centegix Employee Panic Button for all 30K BCPS employees.
FLORIDA SAFE SCHOOLS ASSESSMENT TOOL (FSSAT) Safety Security Review Assessment (SSRA) assessment, SSEP ASM Daily/Routine Inspections & FDOE inspections.
Superintendent Random Hand Wanding Team.
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“Broward County Public Schools: 13 Layers of Security – But What About Our Kids?”
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) boasts an impressive array of security measures, including 13 distinct layers of protection. These encompass a Raptor School Visitor Tracking System, a single-point-of-entry intercom/camera system, the presence of Law Enforcement/Armed Guardians on campus during school hours, a dedicated security force of over 1000 SSEP staff, perimeter fencing around school campuses, a robust camera network integrated with the District Security Operations Center (DSOC) and the Broward County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD), Open Gate Weapons Detection Systems in all High Schools, a deployable Drone System, Panic Alarms in School Offices, Safer Watch/Alyssa Panic Alert Systems on computers and cell phones, Centegix Employee Panic Buttons for all 30K BCPS employees, and rigorous safety and security assessments through the FLORIDA SAFE SCHOOLS ASSESSMENT TOOL (FSSAT) SSRA assessment, SSEP ASM Daily/Routine Inspections, and FDOE inspections. Additionally, the Superintendent oversees a Random Hand Wanding Team.
These 13 layers of security technology and protection measures undoubtedly position BCPS as one of the safest school districts in the country. However, it is crucial to acknowledge both their cost and inherent limitations.
Furthermore, a critical component of comprehensive school security often remains overlooked: “wraparound services.”
The concept of “wraparound services” refers to the provision of resources and activities designed to assist a student in achieving their academic and personal goals.
These services encompass a wide range of support, including tutoring, food assistance, professional development, mentoring/coaching, life skills training, financial assistance/financial education, and socialization components. (Blanchard, 2021)
A compelling example of the potential impact of wraparound services is the “Habitual Offender Tracking System” (HOTS) program, developed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) in the 1990s. This program aimed to address the challenges faced by the top ten most problematic youth at each BCPS campus. HOTS went beyond traditional law enforcement approaches by providing a comprehensive suite of resources, including job opportunities, GED preparation, mental health counseling, and even employment assistance for parents. This multifaceted approach sought to identify and address the underlying factors contributing to the breakdown of the family unit.
As noted by John Nesteruk, Retired Major, Broward Sheriff’s Office, in a personal communication with Dr. Michael K. Blanchard (October, 2019), the HOTS program demonstrated the effectiveness of wraparound services in addressing the complex needs of at-risk youth.
The tragic events at Columbine High School in 1999 ushered in a new era of heightened security concerns within the education sector. Since then, the United States has witnessed a disturbingly frequent occurrence of school shootings, with over 245 incidents resulting in injuries to more than 310 individuals and the tragic loss of at least 146 lives.1 This grim reality compels us to critically examine our approach to school safety. The question is not whether intervention is necessary, but rather whether our current focus on security expenditures represents the most effective strategy for both mitigating school violence and ensuring the optimal well-being of our students.
The school security industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with a significant portion of funding directed towards policing initiatives. This trend includes an increased presence of armed guards, often police officers designated as resource officers, particularly within inner-city schools. (McDonald, 2019)
The growing presence of armed guards and even military personnel within public schools has raised concerns about the potential militarization of our educational institutions. (McDonald, 2019)
Current spending trends within the K-12 public education system reveal an annual expenditure of approximately $700 billion. This substantial investment continues to escalate, with no immediate signs of deceleration. While the overall education budget is substantial, a considerable portion, estimated to be at least $2.7 billion, is allocated to security-related costs. These expenses encompass a wide range of measures, from automatic door-locking mechanisms to sophisticated surveillance systems and facial recognition software.
In conclusion, while the 13 layers of security implemented by BCPS represent a significant commitment to student safety, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations of a solely security-focused approach. By incorporating a robust framework of wraparound services, we can effectively address the root causes of school violence and create a more supportive and nurturing environment for all students. This shift in focus necessitates a reallocation of resources, prioritizing investments in student well-being through initiatives such as enhanced mental health services, after-school programs, comprehensive tutoring and academic support, and robust social-emotional learning programs.
References:
Blanchard, M. K. (2021). The Importance of Wraparound Services in Addressing School Violence: A Call for a Paradigm Shift. [Article]
McDonald, T. (2019). The Militarization of Schools: A Growing Concern. [Article]