Citizen’s Post

New: A lawsuit was filed on November 13th against an #AI #weaponsdetection company, a security integrator company, the Utica (NY) City School District, and the City of Utica in connection with a stabbing of a #student by another student with a 9-inch knife that reportedly was missed in weapons screening at a Utica City School District high school. Industry research company IPVM released a report with an overview of the lawsuit this morning. See https://lnkd.in/exN3YhAp Given the rapid move by some school districts to #weaponsdetection systems, #metaldetectors, and other new security products and tech, we anticipate seeing more questions around the use of such measures arise in future school safety litigation if/when #schoolshootings, stabbings, and other weapons-related incidents arise in schools that have chosen to implement such measures. We also anticipate significant #schoolpr challenges for school administrators trying to explain how such incidents occurred after they sold their school community on the idea they have new hi-tech "weapons detection" systems that will make their schools safer. #Schoolleaders need to be educated consumers about #schoolsecurity hardware, products, and technology. #Superintendents, #principals, #schoolboards and #SROs need to exercise due diligence, due their homework, be strategic school safety communicators, and be critical thinkers about fidelity of implementation issues related to physical security (and other) #schoolsafety strategies.

Technology certainly has its place but I think it is definitely overly relied on by a lot of organizations, not just schools. #security #protection #defense #threatassessment #crisisresponse #crisisintervention

Another weapon found in a high school whose district has spent millions on #AI #weaponsdetection systems for "enhanced" #schoolsafety. Here, a 15-year-old Prince William County (Va) high school student arrested with a knife which was reportedly brandished toward students in a classroom. This is the second incident since January when a student was found with a knife in another of the district's high schools with weapons detection systems (the district having spent $11 million on Evolv weapons detection systems for middle and high schools). The School Resource Officer (#SRO) was notified and took action in the latest cases. A great illustration of the value of #SROs and the importance of humans making #schoolsecurity work. As seems to be the common #schoolpr comment as weapons continue to be found in schools that spent millions on AI weapons detection and #metaldetector systems, the district's spokesperson said the "situation remains under review." #Schoolleaders need to be informed consumers of school security hardware and tech sales pitches, capabilities, and limitations. They also need to spend limited resources based upon a comprehensive assessment of security threats, risks, and vulnerabilities --- not emotional, political, or school PR motivations. Learn more in the story here: https://lnkd.in/guzBiFRZ #superintendents #principals #schoolboards

Did You Know? 🔴Property Crimes represent over 90% of all criminal activity occurring on college campuses. ➡️Safety Concerns have a negative impact on faculty, student, staff and visitors. ➡️According to the most recently available data from the U.S. Department of Education's Campus Safety Survey, there were 31,137 criminal offenses reported on more than 10,000 college campuses. ➡️Burglaries accounted for 23% of all reported criminal offenses ➡️Traditional methods-- uniformed security/public safety personnel, CPTED, security cameras, access control & physical security are effective parts of overall campus safety strategy, but more must be done. ➡️Artificial Intelligence, including autonomous response technology, is being leveraged as an additional layer of protection & force multiplier. ➡️Checkout how our RAD Team is enhancing the safety & security of higher education campuses across the United States. 🚨https://lnkd.in/gCi-YKMa 🚨https://lnkd.in/ge5DZxJv Robotic Assistance Devices Troy McCanna Kory Best Lauren Schultz Christina Vazquez-Steinman Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, FSyI Steven Reinharz International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators

How can universities enhance campus security to prevent incidents of violence and ensure the safety of students and staff? Tragedy strikes Kennesaw State University: Student fatally shot on campus. A Georgia man has been charged with murder after Kennesaw State University student Alasia Franklin, 21, was fatally shot on campus. The shooting occurred outside the Austin Residence Complex following an argument. The suspect, Samuel Harris, was arrested shortly after the incident. The university has offered counseling services to those affected by Franklin's death. Key Takeaways: - Enhanced Campus Security: Highlight the necessity for universities to implement comprehensive security measures, including increased surveillance, campus patrols, and emergency response protocols, to prevent and respond to violent incidents on campus. - Mental Health Support: Stress the importance of providing mental health resources and counseling services to students and staff following traumatic events to ensure their well-being and support their recovery process. - Law Enforcement Collaboration: Emphasize the need for effective collaboration between university security departments and local law enforcement agencies to ensure swift investigation and response to violent crimes, enhancing overall campus safety. #schoolsecurity #schoolsafety #schoolviolence https://lnkd.in/dknH5nUb

How can universities enhance campus security to prevent incidents of violence and ensure the safety of students and staff? Tragedy strikes Kennesaw State University: Student fatally shot on campus. A Georgia man has been charged with murder after Kennesaw State University student Alasia Franklin, 21, was fatally shot on campus. The shooting occurred outside the Austin Residence Complex following an argument. The suspect, Samuel Harris, was arrested shortly after the incident. The university has offered counseling services to those affected by Franklin's death. Key Takeaways: - Enhanced Campus Security: Highlight the necessity for universities to implement comprehensive security measures, including increased surveillance, campus patrols, and emergency response protocols, to prevent and respond to violent incidents on campus. - Mental Health Support: Stress the importance of providing mental health resources and counseling services to students and staff following traumatic events to ensure their well-being and support their recovery process. - Law Enforcement Collaboration: Emphasize the need for effective collaboration between university security departments and local law enforcement agencies to ensure swift investigation and response to violent crimes, enhancing overall campus safety. #schoolsecurity #schoolsafety #schoolviolence https://lnkd.in/d8fnu3H5

When asked about various #schoolsecurity hardware, products, and tech, one of my first points is that the devil is in the detail and fidelity of implementation. This week, frustrated parents and students at several schools in the Atlanta, Georgia, region are complaining about delays in student screening with their new AI #weaponsdetection systems. #Schoolboards and other #schoolleaders across the nation continue making knee-jerk reactions to broader #gunviolence concerns, oftentimes rushing to purchase shiny objects that risk creating #securitytheater as they try to solve political and school community relations problems around #parent, #teacher, and #student #schoolsafety concerns. In a June 5, 2023, Atlanta TV story, this school district touted using the weapons systems because they provide "ease of use by school people with minimal training" : “because of its weapons detection abilities, overall cost-effectiveness, ease of use by school personnel with minimal training, ability to cover large areas and scan multiple individuals simultaneously, and continuous technical support and system upgrades.” (see https://lnkd.in/gvJ7VdpA) This week, in a letter to parents, the district suggests they need more "learning opportunities": "The good news is that our rollout of this technology has been overwhelmingly successful in our schools. We also recognize that with any new technological advancement, additional learning opportunities may be needed, as is the case in a couple of our schools," the letter said. Back then, I cautioned that #schoolpr teams are stepping into risky terriority bragging that they provide "minimal training" to their "school personnel" for using school security products, hardware, and tech. It is a line that could potentially come back to haunt them in the court of public opinion and perhaps a court of law in school safety litigation. We can do a better job in supporting school administrators to be better strategic school safety leaders and communicators! This week's full story is linked in the comments section below.

As crime rises on some college campuses, university safety officers are looking to body camera technology to improve training, increase visibility and strengthen relationships. Learn how Campus Public Safety teams are seeing value in new campus surveillance and body worn technologies to increase campus safety. https://bit.ly/3LaAw0u

What role do campus police and security personnel play in responding to emergency situations, and how can their response be improved to ensure the safety of students and staff? Ensuring Campus Safety: Responding to Security Threats at Universities North Carolina Central University experienced a shooting incident at its Lawson Street Residence Complex, resulting in one student being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The university has implemented a lockdown and is providing support and counseling services to affected students while law enforcement investigates the incident. Key Takeaways: - Dormitory Security: Emphasize the importance of implementing robust security measures within dormitories, including access control systems, surveillance cameras, and regular patrols, to mitigate the risk of violence and ensure the safety of students residing on campus. - Emergency Response Training: Advocate for comprehensive emergency response training for campus police and security personnel to enable swift and effective responses to security threats, including active shooter situations, thereby minimizing harm to students and staff. - Post-Incident Review: Highlight the necessity of conducting thorough reviews of security protocols and procedures following security incidents to identify areas for improvement and enhance overall campus safety measures. #schoolsafety #schoolviolence https://lnkd.in/dxvf3p2k