The demand for security personnel in America’s educational spaces has increased in recent years. Some lawmakers are exploring state-level requirements for armed security guards in schools. Other states are issuing grants to help individual schools manage the additional security costs. Administrators are tasked with sourcing private security guards to monitor entrances and respond to emergent security threats. This is a new responsibility for many who may not be well-versed in hiring private security.
Most schools are adding guards to their campuses in response to direct demands from community members. When selecting security services, it is crucial to assess the community’s wishes regarding on-site security and the specific security needs of each campus. In addition, administrators should partner with security companies with experience serving school communities and can reliably deploy guards to your location.
Recent Trends
Since 2020, nearly every American school and college has taken additional measures to improve campus security. These include deploying on-site security guards, adding cameras and key card access to entrance points, and educating staff on best practices. It’s important to note that solutions and standards vary across the country—and that’s a good thing.
Communities must assess their own security environments and make educated decisions about how best to protect students and staff. Armed security guards may be appropriate in some circumstances but are not universally recommended. Unarmed guards are much more common, and most schools require guards to have specialized training to help them respond appropriately within an educational environment.
When to Hire & What to Look For
Engaging with your community and conducting thorough on-site security assessments are the best first steps school administrators can take. Whatever security solution is selected, it will require community buy-in to succeed. Pay attention to what parents and staff need to feel safe and act accordingly.
Before deploying on-site guards, be sure to conduct a campus-wide security assessment. There may be simple and inexpensive solutions to explore before bringing security guards onto campus. Surveillance and key fob technologies have become more affordable in recent years. Small schools and campuses with low-risk profiles can close any security gaps with well-placed technology.
Of course, security guards are the go-to option for many teams because of their flexibility, affordability, and experience. In our home state of California, security guards must take eight hours of professional training each year. In response to the growing demand, many guards now select courses designed with school deployments in mind, like de-escalation tactics, community engagement, and working with minors.
This shift in guard training means school administrators in many parts of the country can source security guards explicitly trained for school environments. Sourcing guards with years of experience in the educational space would also be advisable. Be wary of bargain-rate security companies – especially in states with minimal guard licensing requirements.
Contact The Guard Alliance
The Guard Alliance has decades of experience deploying licensed security guards to America’s schools and colleges. We have served communities nationwide by deploying seasoned guards with the skills and training to keep students and staff safe. Each deployment is unique—we’d love to hear about the specific security challenges at your school and build a custom quote that best serves your needs. Contact us today to get started.
