| University, College and School Security | | | | their job. |
| First, our heart goes out to the family, friends and | | | | Installers |
| my niece at Virginia Tech. | | | | You may be having an alarm or camera system |
| Consultant vs. Salesperson | | | | installed. Do you know if the installer is legal? Many |
| When you have a security related problem, where do | | | | company's fail to check out their installers. They think |
| you go for answers? Many people turn to a security | | | | the security company has done their job and the |
| salesperson. This salesperson may offer a service like | | | | person is ok. This is the wrong way to think. This is |
| security guards or a product like security alarms. To | | | | your building, your security or camera system, your |
| receive total security protection, it is best to speak | | | | protection against crime, why would you not check |
| with a security consultant and not a security | | | | out everyone. |
| salesperson. A consultant can advise you in all areas, | | | | The state and federal agencies check out everyone |
| where a salesperson can only advise you on products | | | | connected to the installation or service of their |
| or services their company offers. | | | | security equipment. They look at the company, the |
| Consultant | | | | salesperson all the way down to the person pulling |
| A security consultant is a person trained in many | | | | the wire. You should do the same thing. |
| areas from communications to alarms. They can | | | | When it comes to a security equipment installer, |
| review, advise and provide solutions to many | | | | many installers must pass a background check |
| problems. If you have a security problem, you first | | | | conducted by the state. Once a person is approved |
| need to speak with a security expert. After you | | | | by the state to install security equipment, the state |
| receive options, then you can seek out a security | | | | will issue them a security id. The installer is required to |
| salesperson that meets your requirements. Never go | | | | carry the id anytime they are installing. |
| to a salesperson first. This is where 99% of the | | | | As the property owner, you can check out to see if |
| public makes a mistake. If you want to buy a car, | | | | the installer is legal or not by asking to see their |
| would you talk with a tire salesperson? | | | | state security id. They are required by law in many |
| A consultant will visit your location, conduct a detailed | | | | states to show the id when requested by the |
| inspection and create a full report on their findings. | | | | property owner. If they refuse or give you some |
| Such a report might include things like employee | | | | lame excuse, then call the police. A police officer can |
| habits, ease of access, landscaping problems, | | | | check to see if the person is approved by the state |
| communication weakness, visual needs, and much | | | | to install security equipment. |
| more. | | | | Now, you may say "Why do I need to check their |
| To get the full picture of your security needs and | | | | id?". Some companies will use unlicensed or |
| solutions to correct problems, you need an expert in | | | | unregistrated people to install systems when the |
| many areas. A security consultant can provide you | | | | workload is high. Others will use illegal contractors to |
| with options and sources to meet your requirements. | | | | cut cost. Giving out secure information or information |
| Consultants may also review details like placement of | | | | related to a customer's security system, to an |
| camera's, types and needs for lighting or security film | | | | unapproved person is against the law in many states. |
| on glass. They can also review things like emails | | | | This shady person can get your security code, learn |
| related to threats, student interaction and area | | | | placement of devices, learn when you are there and |
| warning systems. | | | | much more. They may return later to clean you out. |
| A consultant will promote their background and your | | | | Always check to see if the installers are legal. Do not |
| needs in all areas, where a salesperson will only | | | | trust the security company's word. I have seen some |
| promote their product or service as related to one or | | | | top security companies use illegal contractors to install |
| two areas. | | | | security equipment. |
| Salespeople are Not Consultants | | | | The Review |
| Security Salesperson | | | | The first thing you should do is walk off your |
| A security salesperson is a person which offers a | | | | property about 20 feet. Turn around and look. You |
| product or service that their company sells. Many | | | | need to make notes as to what you see. Are there |
| times, this is the extent of their job. Some | | | | trees blocking the view from a police car driving by |
| salespeople are just starting in the business and lack | | | | the site? Are there items laying around that can be |
| the knowledge. Some salespeople have been in the | | | | used as weapon? Is all the lighting working? What |
| business and have a limited amount of knowledge. | | | | else do you see wrong? |
| Then you may encounter the expert salesperson. | | | | Doing things like this is called a security check. This |
| This type of salesperson will make you think that | | | | should be done once a week. Keep records of any |
| their product or service will be the answer to all your | | | | changes made by your staff. |
| problems. | | | | You can start with adjusting shrubs and trees. This is |
| Now, we do not want to put down security | | | | one of the biggest problems. People hide behind |
| salespeople, as they do play a major part in the | | | | them, they have done this for 50 years and will |
| security industry. You as the customer need to | | | | continue to do so in years to come. Do not help |
| understand that a security salesperson may only be | | | | them out. Never install a high shrub fence near a |
| able to talk about their product or service. Many | | | | doorway. Keep all tree branch's about 10 feet away |
| states have different requirements for consultants | | | | from the building. |
| and security salespeople. Ask to see your | | | | Pick up any items laying around. Have all ladders |
| salesperson's state security id. If the id says | | | | stored away and secured after being used. |
| consultant and sales, then they can consult. If it just | | | | Wait until dark and check all outside lights. Look for |
| says sales, then they can just sell. | | | | dark areas near the building and any parking areas. If |
| There is no single solution to security at a location. No | | | | using camera's, you may want to install IR spotlights. |
| salesperson should ever advise a customer that their | | | | You want to look at the windows and doors. Are |
| product or service will cure all. Just because you were | | | | there broken windows? Are doors left open? Are |
| sold camera's does not mean a person can not break | | | | people holding doors open for others? Have locks |
| in a window. Just because you were sold an alarm | | | | been improved and are they being used? Is there |
| system does not mean your student's cars will not | | | | security film on the windows or glass areas? |
| be damaged. For good security, you need to look in | | | | Look at the parking area. How far does one have to |
| all directions, not just one or two. | | | | walk to get to their vehicle? Do security officers |
| There are more security salespeople than are | | | | walk people to their car? Do you offer a mobile |
| security consultants. Many salespeople try to act like | | | | security patrol unit to tour the outside of the |
| a consultant, but a consultant will not act like a | | | | building? |
| salesperson. A salesperson will sometimes be given a | | | | Do you need to install barriers to direct vehilce or |
| basic level of training, where a consultant may | | | | human traffic in another direction. |
| receive years of training in many subjects. A security | | | | Hidden Cameras |
| consultant is many times former military or a former | | | | Are there strange people sitting around outside |
| police officer. A security salesperson could have been | | | | watching your building? Are there people using video |
| a golf pro the day before. I have seen all types. | | | | cameras? |
| Before you risk lives and property, you need to | | | | Have you conducted a RF video sweep for hidden |
| check out your security advisor. Ask your local police | | | | cameras. Visitor's and students can install hidden video |
| department to review the advice given by your | | | | cameras inside your school and learn when you enter |
| security expert. Most of all, understand that good | | | | an area. Some students install or even wear hidden |
| security will require several solutions. | | | | cameras to record illegal images of women |
| Good Luck! | | | | undressing. Do the sweep, you may be surprised at |
| P.S. | | | | what you find. |
| Yes, there is a former golf pro out there selling | | | | A simple wireless video receiver is connected to a |
| electronic security system to business sites in our | | | | small handheld monitor. Walk to an area and tune the |
| area. So just because they sell it, does not mean | | | | receiver from one end to the other, very slowly. |
| they know it. Check them out and forget the | | | | Watch the monitor to see if you get a picture. If you |
| business BS they feed you at times. | | | | get a picture, then use the image to id the location. |
| Human Error | | | | Do not remove the camera. Wait to see who goes |
| Who is watching? You may have camera's or guards | | | | to check the camera. That should be the person |
| protecting your site. One of the biggest problems | | | | whom installed it. Once you id the installer, then you |
| with security is human error. People tend to sleep on | | | | can contact the police. |
| the job, play on the job, look the other way or even | | | | Monitor internet traffic at your school. Many people |
| think an event is not important enough to report. | | | | know about the internet, but there are only a few of |
| This is wrong and should be corrected. | | | | us whom remember the newsgroups on the back of |
| Lives and property are protected by people that | | | | the internet. Some students will post threats and |
| make just above a basic wage. Many of these | | | | other information on these newsgroups. Have your |
| people have limited education and skills. Many of | | | | computer expert install a keyword monitoring |
| these people do not care about you, your people or | | | | system. This will alret you when special keywords are |
| your property. Face the facts, these people are | | | | used on your computers. |
| there for the paycheck and that's it. | | | | Threats by Cellphone |
| Do you know what a real security expert makes per | | | | Students have turned to making threats by |
| year? A real security expert makes on the average | | | | cellphones. This can be a threat toward another |
| over $100,000 a year. A real security expert will use | | | | student or to the school. Place signs up that restrict |
| their former training to protect you and your | | | | cellphone use while on school property or during main |
| property. A security guard makes on the average | | | | school hours. Talk with students about getting |
| about $8 per hour or about $8,000 per year. They | | | | threats by cellphone, let them know you are there to |
| will use their one day training to protect you and | | | | help. |
| your property. | | | | There are so many areas outside of a building, that |
| Which would you rather have protecting you and | | | | relate to security. Speak with a security consultant |
| your property? Why would you cut cost to protect | | | | for advice. |
| lives so important to others? Real security will cost. | | | | Equipment |
| There is an old saying; "You get what you paid for". | | | | The list of equipment that can be used is very long. |
| Protection | | | | On the outside you can install IR Beams to alert you |
| The best level of security you can have is to hire off | | | | of people walking near a building or use hidden |
| duty police officers to work at or patrol your | | | | microphone's to hear someone walking across the |
| location. An off duty officer still has full arrest powers | | | | grass. You can use motion activated camera's to see |
| and knows how to handle many types of problems. | | | | movement or install thermo sensors to pick up a |
| Speak with your local police department for more | | | | person's body heat. |
| information. | | | | You can look at the option of driveway sensors, air |
| The next option you have is to hire Conservers of | | | | pressure sensors, contact sensors under door mats, |
| the Peace (COP). These are special police officers | | | | grounding sensors on handrails and even use sensors |
| approved by the court system in your area. The | | | | that detect body odor. |
| officer has full arrest powers, but is limited to | | | | For the inside, you have camera's, door contacts, |
| covering a single area. This area can be your site or | | | | card readers, bio sensors, pressure mats, glass |
| even a city block. | | | | breaks, microphone's, heat sensors, changing air |
| You could use armed security officers. These officers | | | | pressure sensors, motion sensors, IR beams, |
| have limited arrest powers. They may be able to | | | | microwave sensors, RF sensors and many more. |
| arrest if; (a) on your site only, (b) with owners | | | | Think First |
| permission, (c) with security company's permission, | | | | A security consultant can review your site and |
| (d) approved by the state. This option puts great risk | | | | provide you with options. We have listed just a few |
| on the property owner for legal damages if things go | | | | things that may improve security at your school. Each |
| wrong. | | | | location is different and should be reviewed on it's |
| Last option is to use an unarmed security officer. | | | | own merit. Once you have the list of corrections that |
| This is the worst thing you can do if you are looking | | | | are needed, you can then contact a security |
| for security. An unarmed security officer is acting as | | | | salesperson in that field. |
| a regular person. Many state do not allow them to | | | | Other areas to consider are computer security, area |
| make an arrest. They are good only for id checks, to | | | | horns, paging systems, panic button keychains for |
| open a door or to give someone directions. Many | | | | insturctors, RF taging system for instructors and |
| companies will use unarmed security guards because | | | | students location while on the property, cellphone 211 |
| they are cheap. Then the company will complain | | | | notification system, emergency locking system for |
| when they have security related problems. You get | | | | inside doors, able to lock classroom doors, security |
| what you pay for! | | | | doors or safe rooms, classroom emergency phone |
| Related Problems | | | | system, microphone's in classroom ceiling, outside |
| Security related problems may include: Lazy people, | | | | emergency video patch for police. |
| Sleeping on the job, Looking the other way, Failure | | | | You may also want to use an RF remote command |
| to report all events, Tampering with equipment, | | | | control center. This is a wireless unit worn on the arm |
| Stealing from property owners, Giving out secure | | | | or held in your hand. You can open doors, view |
| information, Thinking it's a joke, Failure to follow SOP, | | | | camera's, lock out card readers, lock doors and more, |
| Leaving the site without approval, Unprofessional | | | | all from up to 1/4 mile away from the site. It is a |
| toward employee's and guest and much more. | | | | system used in some jails to take back control of a |
| Guards | | | | command center if taken over by inmates. |
| Security company's will enter into a contract with a | | | | Always look into and report any person or students |
| business or site. The contract may require people to | | | | that you consider a threat to others. Set up your |
| sit at the site and monitor events. The contract does | | | | own security team. Update your SOP to meet |
| not state how much training a person needs. It does | | | | today's students and technology. Spend the money |
| not state how long a person has been in the industry. | | | | for a consultant. They may save you money in the |
| It does not state how much sleep the person got | | | | end. No site, not even a jail is 100% secure. You can |
| the night before working. Because many security | | | | only do your best and that is all anyone will ever ask |
| contracts do not reflect these areas, a security | | | | of you. Do not go the cheap route, it may cost |
| company will put just about anyone on the site. | | | | someone their life. |
| I have seen security guards be interviewed on the | | | | Read more at |
| spot, be given a reading test, handed a uniform that | | | | About Me |
| did not fit and placed on a site to work that night. | | | | I just wanted to share some of my knowledge with |
| The security company's only requirement is to keep | | | | everyone and hope you have learned something. I |
| the proper number of bodies on a site. They could | | | | write a weekly magazine at for anyone interested in |
| care less if the person knew anything or not. It's | | | | learning more. |
| business and profits to them. | | | | Over 15 years in the sales, design, install and service |
| If you contract or hire guards, you need to test | | | | of electronic systems. Background in secure |
| them. Once a month, you should have someone | | | | communications, electronic security systems, cctv, |
| unknown to them, try to get past the guards and | | | | matv, card access, fiber optics, Bio systems, fire, |
| then follow the trail. Did the guard stop the person? | | | | professional audio/ video, gate controls, wireless |
| Did the guard report the events? Were the proper | | | | devices, RF uplink/downlink and more. |
| people notified? Test like this can help imporve your | | | | Most recent major position was to repair security |
| security and force guards to become ready for a real | | | | systems for 40 locations to include a bridge and 2 |
| event. | | | | tunnels damaged by the attacks of 9/11 in NY/NJ. I |
| Another method you need to use is monitoring. You | | | | was picked out of over 10,000 people for the |
| need to link any camera's to a private location. This | | | | contract due to high skill level in many areas. This |
| can be your office or the internet. Once every few | | | | contract was funded by an emergency act of |
| days, look in on the camera images and then call a | | | | Congress. I then worked to design a new electronic |
| guard. Tell them they did a good job checking an id | | | | security system to withstand future attacks. |
| or let them know you were watching and just | | | | I provided supporting design for a $10 million |
| wanted to say they were doing a good job. This | | | | electronic security proposal for British Airways |
| does two things for you. One thing it does is let the | | | | property at JFK airport. |
| guards know you are watching them and the other | | | | I was requested to sit in on the first phase for the |
| thing it does is lets them know they are doing things | | | | restructure of nationwide airport electronic security, |
| right. | | | | under a new TSA contract with Lockheed Martin in |
| Last thing you should do is watch the outside of your | | | | Virginia, USA. |
| building. Many guards think they are out of camera | | | | I have been a major installer on high security jails in |
| view and will try to do things they should not do. | | | | Virginia. |
| Some will go to their vehicle and sleep, some will | | | | I have built a broadcast station for the US President |
| meet a friend outside and chat for an hour or so. | | | | at a military post and linked it back to the White |
| Other will try to sneak things out or into the building. | | | | House. |
| Watching outside once a week will let you know | | | | I installed a broadcast TV station for the US Coast |
| what is really going on at your location. | | | | Guard in NC, USA. |
| One company I know had a problem with missing | | | | I was former communications coordinator for World |
| laptops. They advised the guards to check each | | | | Cup Soccer '94 in Florida and before that I was a |
| person with a laptop to see if they had approval to | | | | Secure Communications Expert with the US Army, |
| remove it from the building. After a week, the | | | | teaching and repairing major communication systems. |
| guards relaxed on their duties. The owner then had | | | | I have several awards from the US Pentagon and |
| someone enter the building, pack up all the laptops on | | | | the military for new inventions. |
| one floor and hide them inside the building. When the | | | | I am willing to work under contract with your site to |
| guards checked the floor, they noticed all the laptops | | | | review your need of electronic system |
| were gone. The owner then advised he was the one | | | | improvements. |
| whom hid the laptops to prove a point. After that | | | | I am CEO of Young Media Group, LLC and produce |
| event, there were no more missing laptops. | | | | several publications and video's related to the |
| Sometimes you have to scare the guards into doing | | | | electronic security industry and music industry. |