Main Entrances in Utica Schools to Get Security Boost
Utica Community Schools will add cameras, intercoms and electronic locks to its elementary and junior high main entrances this year.
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With $350,000 already earmarked for camera equipment, plans to upgrade the security of main entrances in the Utica school district are now underway.
Taking into account the results of recent security assessments, Utica Community Schools plans to purchase and install several pieces of new equipment that will allow the main entrances of all elementary and junior high schools to remain locked during the school day.
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The Utica board of education Jan. 14 approved $350,000 to purchase security camera equipment that, combined with an audio component and latch-release function, will allow main office personnel to control the entry of visitors to the school.
The cameras will provide a visual of the visitor seeking entry, while the audio portion will give office personnel an opportunity to ask the visitor’s reason for being at the school prior to allowing entry. If the visitor is approved, office personnel will then be able unlock the main entrance electronically.
The district’s high schools currently feature security cameras and visitors are either greeted at the main entrance or directed through the main office prior to entering the core area of the school. Full-time security officers also staff all Utica high schools.
More: Chippewa Valley to Hire Extra School Security, Explore Cost of Buzzer Entry System
The full cost of this project is unknown at this time as bids are still out on the audio and electronic latch portions. Installation will begin once the materials are available.
a worker
10:09 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
What an absolute joke. don't get me wrong I firmly believe that all schools should be secure but this is just another waste of taxpayer dollars. Does anyone out there actually believe the secretaries will have time to be playing with a video camera? Seriously? as I mentioned before doors are left open at Utica schools constantly. Don't believe me? Look for yourself. Call your local police department. Ask them how many times they have to respond to open doors at Utica Community Schools. I'm talking doors that are left totally wide open and unsecured possibly overnight. Where is the security in that? Parents... you need to start watching your child's schools. watch to see if doors are left open. Trust me they will be. this new security that Utica Community Schools is trying to do is nothing more then a big part of their dog and pony show to try and fool parents. if you are seriously interested in your child school safety you need to be proactive. report any open doors or security violations to the Board of Education it's not the principal not the teacher nobody reported to the Board of Education.
a worker
10:15 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
What an absolute joke. don't get me wrong I firmly believe that all schools should be secure but this is just another waste of taxpayer dollars. Does anyone out there actually believe the secretaries will have time to be playing with a video camera? Seriously? as I mentioned before doors are left open at Utica schools constantly. Don't believe me? Look for yourself. Call your local police department. Ask them how many times they have to respond to open doors at Utica Community Schools. I'm talking doors that are left totally wide open and unsecured possibly overnight. Where is the security in that? Parents... you need to start watching your child's schools. watch to see if doors are left open. Trust me they will be. this new security that Utica Community Schools is trying to do is nothing more then a big part of their dog and pony show to try and fool parents. if you are seriously interested in your child school safety you need to be proactive. report any open doors or security violations to the Board of Education. Do not bother telling the principal nor the teacher nor the janitor go directly to the bored off education. they are the ones that need to know. Sorry to post this message twice voice recognition did not work very well