Texas Security Issues Survey Results

The survey found that while administrators consider video to be the single most important tool in securing school environments, budgets for investing in newer security technologies are tight, with only about a quarter of schools expecting a security budget increase in 2008. Distributed online to administrators from public K-12 schools across Texas, the survey asked participants to rank their most significant security issues and their level of preparedness in dealing with those issues. Results indicated that, while Texas schools are moving to address security in their schools, they are not yet adequately prepared to deal with the many types of threats they face in today's world. The high level findings of the survey revealed the following: * The majority of schools (62 percent) consider unauthorized and dangerous people entering the building to be an extremely important concern; however, 78 percent of schools reported being only "somewhat prepared" to deal with an armed intruder on campus. * Funding for security technologies is not currently met with school budgets: almost 75 percent of respondents expect their budgets for video surveillance technologies to either remain steady or decrease in 2008. * Eighty-four percent indicated that if they could select just one tool to help improve security on campus, they would invest in video surveillance; 81 percent of respondents said they are currently using some kind of video cameras in their schools. * Although the majority of schools (60 percent and 72 percent, respectively) feels "extremely prepared" to deal with student infractions such as fights and vandalism and major weather or fire events, only 13 percent feels extremely prepared to deal with an armed intruder on campus. Only 9 percent feels extremely prepared to deal with student abductions from campus. In their fight to protect students, 81 percent of survey respondents indicated they are currently using some kind of video, but only 42 percent are using video proactively to identify problems before they occur. When asked if they could invest in a single security tool, 84 percent of respondents said they would invest in video over intrusion alarms, metal detectors or identity badges. However, 72 percent said they expected security budgets to remain the same or decrease in 2008 and 69 percent said they would need to conduct fundraising to pay for new security equipment. According to the survey, 35 percent of Texas schools are still relying on VCRs and tapes -- a system known as legacy or analog, that is nearly impossible to use proactively. "This survey tells us that Texas schools recognize the power of video technologies to keep students safe on campus," says Andrew Wren, president of Wren. "However, a lot of education still needs to take place to help them learn not only how to use video surveillance in a more proactive manner, but also how to leverage their existing technologies when faced with budget limitations. Cost-effective network video solutions can help schools address both of these issues."