As students and staff await the upcoming holidays, criminals may be scouting for their next easy mark: a vacant school building.
Holidays are among the most common period for school burglaries and vandalism. With these buildings unpopulated for an extended period, there is little to deter thefts and severe damage.
Prior to the holiday period, every school should assess its premises for security risks and implement appropriate measures.
A monitored and verified security provider like Sonitrol Great Lakes can provide peace of mind that the school’s security provider will respond swiftly to an emergency over the break and send police if required.
A quick police response can potentially reduce the time that a school is exposed to damage and loss by vandals and thieves. It’s important not to rely on surrounding neighbors to call police if an alarm is heard in their area.
Here are some pre-holiday protection steps schools should take:
- Remove loose materials lying around school grounds which may be used as projectiles, such as loose bricks, large rocks or branches.
- Check that all security lighting is in proper working order. Lighting can help to deter thieves and vandals.
- Ensure no cash is left on site and post signs indicating that message.
- Lock away un-issued keys in a secure location.
- Secure all valuable resources, such as laptops and TVs, away from windows and under lock and key or in an alarmed room.
- Ensure the monitoring provider is notified of all site users, including vacation staff, contractors, and cleaners. Ensure occupants are reminded of alarm procedures and their responsibilities to secure all windows and buildings.
- Lock all gates, doors and windows before leaving the premises. Security fences should be checked to ensure there are no gaps between the fence and ground that could allow access.
Sonitrol Great Lakes wishes all in the education community a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.
