Security-for-Educational-Institutions-Necessitates-A-Multilayered-Multifactor-Approach

Security for Educational Institutions Necessitates A Multilayered – Multifactor Approach

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Security in educational institutions goes beyond traditional measures, encompassing a multilayered, multifactor approach that combines technology, personnel training, and emergency preparedness.

According to the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), an independent group dedicated to improving school safety, there are five layers of protection to consider: districtwide, property perimeter, parking lot perimeter, building perimeter, and classroom or interior perimeter.

Policies should be applied identically across all public buildings within the school district. Strong written policies can ensure that people know what to do in an emergency and can support security professionals in their efforts to drive compliance with essential safeguards and accountability. 

To be effective, policies centered on preparedness and prevention, as well as response and recovery, need to be woven into the fabric of the school community.

Layers-of-Protection

Layers-of-Protection

 

SOURCE: 

Grace, G., “Strengthening Schools: A Look at K-12 Security Layers and Emergency Preparedness”, Security Management, 03/01/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Cannabis-Facilities-Targets-Incentivize-Bad-Actors

Cannabis Facilities Targets Incentivize Bad Actors

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Cannabis remains illegal under U.S. law, federally regulated financial institutions remain reluctant to serve cannabis dispensaries, warehouses, or production facilities. 

As a result of this, grow houses and dispensaries need to operate on a cash basis, making cannabis facilities ripe targets for theft. The easily transportable nature of cannabis goods can further incentivize bad actors to take advantage.  

These unique risks have prompted many U.S. states to mandate that cannabis facilities install cameras or hire guards, among other measures. The risks have also encouraged many cannabis facilities to invest in creative solutions to ward off attacks.  

 

SOURCE: 

Bender, H., “Mastering Access Control Fundamentals for Cannabis Facility Security”, Security Management, 04/15/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

New-Normal-Armed-Security-Guards-In-Schools

New Normal: Armed Security Guards In Schools

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

The Kansas City School system already has armed security guards in the middle and high schools. The school is now looking for their community’s perspective on adding armed security guards to elementary schools.

It is important for students’ parents and staff to feel safe. The upside to the security detail is that they can often get to an incident much faster than law enforcement since they are on mobile patrols already. 

 

SOURCE: 

Abundis, M., “Kansas City Public Schools, families discuss adding armed security guards to elementary schools”, KSHB 41, 10/24/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Security-A-Small-Price-to-Pay-to-Protect-our-Community

Security: A Small Price to Pay to Protect our Community

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Cambridge City Council unanimously agreed to hire five full-time security guards with a mobile detail to improve community safety.

This is a small price to pay for taking care of our community, keeping it safe, and keeping it clean. 

Communities are seeing vandalism of storefronts, community parks, and in our neighborhoods. Securing a mobile security team helps deter lawlessness by simply being visible. Security details make a big impact in deterring vandalism and damage.  

There is a savings by hiring a security patrol, as the number of after hour incidents declines. This in turn results in fewer instances of having to send out law enforcement officers as well as the costs of cleaning up vandalism or damage. It also frees up law-officers to engage with our community and other aspects of keeping our streets safe. 

 

SOURCE: 

Strom, J., “Cambridge council votes to hire mobile security team”, Kitchener City News, 02/15/2024.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Detecting-threats-in-train-stations-without-compromising-citizens-privacy.

Detecting threats in train stations without compromising citizens’ privacy.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Surface transportation such as subway systems can be a unique security challenge due to the large crowds of travelers and the open, unstructured environment. Public safety officials (including mass transit operators, mass transit police, and state and federal law enforcement teams) need a capability to detect potential threat items on persons and in bags without negatively impacting the speed of travel. 

How do we detect terror threats in train stations without searching people or compromising their privacy? 

A video algorithm detects bags left behind and cutting-edge video forensic tools are some of the technologies used to secure train stations and protect the traveling public. 

 

SOURCE: 

Securing Surface Transportation: Video Forensics”, Department of Homeland Security, https://www.dhs.gov/medialibrary/assets/videos/22798. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Safeguarding-Critical-Infrastructure-In-The-Transportation-Sector

Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure In The Transportation Sector

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

In today’s reality, the consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore. Threats in the transport sector, including rail, go beyond the fear of potential financial losses; they can compromise passenger and cargo safety, disrupt economies and endanger national security. 

It threatens the things that we care for the most, including the safety of our close ones.

 

SOURCE: 

Onn, R. Forbes Technology Council, “Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure In The Transportation Sector”, Forbes, 02/02/2024. 

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

security-on-site-sends-a-powerful-message-that-inappropriate-behavior-will-not-be-tolerated

Security on-site sends a powerful message that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

One of the most significant advantages of having security guard services is the visible deterrence they provide. Their presence alone discourages potential troublemakers and criminals from engaging in unlawful activities. 

Knowing that trained security personnel are on site sends a powerful message that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

Government security agencies are often stretched thin, focusing on broader security concerns. Private security guards, on the other hand, can concentrate solely on the safety and security of the transportation facility and its passengers. This specialization enhances their effectiveness as deterrents.

 

SOURCE: 

“Security Guards Keeping Public Transportation Safe”, Off Duty Officers Inc., https://offdutyofficers.com/security-guards-keeping-public-transportation-safe/.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Crisis-Planning-School-Bus-Security-Protocols

Crisis Planning: School Bus Security Protocols

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

School transportation officials are assessing school bus security and emergency planning as an important part of crisis planning. School bus drivers are the first and last school employees to see school children on a daily basis. Buses are simply extensions of our schools.

Many school bus drivers have not received adequate training, and in some cases any training at all, on dealing with school safety threats. In addition to student misconduct, irate parents also pose a concern to school bus drivers.

 

SOURCE: 

“School Bus Transportation Security”, National School Safety and Security Services, https://schoolsecurity.org/resource/school-bus-security/.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Theres-a-big-difference-between-crowd-control-–-versus-crowd-management

There’s a big difference between crowd control – versus crowd management.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

There is no federal law on crowd safety. But the National Fire Protection Association’s 101 Life Safety Code is considered the gold standard. Many of us remember the Who concert tragedy decades ago. 

There’s a big difference between crowd control – or trying to keep people in designated areas – versus crowd management, which considers the psychology of the crowd and predicts what problems might arise.

 

SOURCE: 

Yan, H., “Deadly crowd surges have happened for decades. Safety standards exist, but they’re not required nationwide.”, CNN, 11/12/2021.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats

 

Grand-Rapids-Students-found-bringing-guns-into-the-school.

Grand Rapids Students found bringing guns into the school.

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Frank Costa, President Nexgen Protection Services – 

Several incidents at a Grand Rapids School report students bringing guns into the building. The School is considering how to mitigate the threat to the students while at the safe time protecting individuals privacy. 

Safety has to be the primary consideration, protocol and policies need to be impactful and reflective of what the school’s community wants. 

SOURCE: 

Witkos, M., “GRPS honors security officers, continues to prioritize safety”, FOX 17, 06/13/2023.

#protectionservices #securitystandards #publicsaftey  #mobilesecurity #secruitythreats