School safety is a top priority for educators, parents, and students alike. According to Statistics Canada, there were 1,273 police-reported incidents of violence at schools in 2018, an increase of 14% from the previous year. Moreover, a survey by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation found that 41% of teachers reported experiencing or witnessing violence in their schools. School Security cameras, or School CCTV cameras, can help administrators and security teams achieve this. These CCTV monitoring camera figures highlight the need for effective security measures to protect school communities from potential threats and incidents.
How School Security Cameras Can Improve Safety
One of the most widely used and beneficial school security measures is the installation of camera systems in schools. School cctv camera can help improve security and cameras monitor activity across the campus safety.
It has benefits such as:
Deterring crime and violence
School Security cameras can discourage unwanted visitors, vandalism, theft, bullying, and other forms of misconduct by making perpetrators aware that they are being monitor and recorded. A study by the University of Toronto found that schools with security cameras had lower rates of student-reported theft, vandalism, and physical fights than schools without security cameras.
Enhancing situational awareness
Security cameras for school can provide real-time video feeds of different areas of the school, such as entrances, hallways, classrooms, parking lots, and playgrounds. This allows school staff and security personnel to live monitor and respond to any suspicious or emergency situations as they arise.
For example, security cameras for school can help detect intruders, fire hazards, medical emergencies, or active shooters and alert the authorities accordingly.
Improving incident investigation
Security cameras for school can capture and store video footage of any incidents that occur on school premises, which can be used as evidence for legal or disciplinary purposes. Security cameras for school can also help identify and verify the perpetrators, victims, and witnesses of any incidents and provide a clear account of what happened. Additionally, school security cameras can help prevent false accusations and resolve conflicts among students and staff.
Increasing accountability and transparency
Security cameras for school can help ensure that students and staff follow the rules and policies and behave appropriately. School CCTV cameras can also help foster a culture of trust and openness among school stakeholders by providing a record of the school’s activities and operations. Furthermore, security cameras for school can help parents and guardians stay informed and involved in their children’s education by allowing them to access live or recorded video streams of their children’s classrooms or school events.
Where Should Security Cameras Be Placed
The placement of school security cameras is crucial for maximizing the coverage and effectiveness of your system. Security cameras for shool should be installed in maximum locations to provide a comprehensive view of your school, such as:
Main entrances and exits
School Security cameras at the main entrances and exits can help you control and live monitor who enters and leaves your school. For best result, you can use Avigilon H5 dome camera and Avigilon H6X bullet camera. They can verify the identity and authorize visitors and staff to grant or deny access remotely.
Hallways and stairways
School Security cameras in the hallways and stairways can help oversee the movement and behavior of students and staff throughout the school. They can also be used to prevent and intervene in cases of bullying, fighting, or vandalism and to enforce the school rules and policies. Security cameras for school here can also help track and locate any individuals or objects of interest in case of an emergency or incident.
Classrooms and common areas
Security CCTV Cameras for school in the classrooms and common areas, such as the cafeteria, library, auditorium, and gym, can help you ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff during school hours and activities. They can also be used to live monitor and support the teaching and learning process and to address any academic or disciplinary issues.
Parking lots and playgrounds
School CCTV Security cameras in the parking lots and playgrounds can help you protect the school property and assets and the personal belongings of students and staff. School Security cameras deter and detect theft, vandalism, or damage to vehicles, equipment, or facilities and to identify and recover the perpetrators or items. Security cameras can also be used to supervise and assist students and staff who are using the outdoor spaces for recreation or transportation.
Best Types Of Cameras for School Security
There are different types of School security cameras that can suit different needs and environments of your school, such as:
Dome School Cameras
Dome school cameras are enclosed in a dome-shaped casing that protects them from vandalism and weather. Dome school cameras are ideal for indoor and outdoor locations, such as hallways, classrooms, and common areas, where they can blend in with the ceiling and provide a discreet and wide-angle view of the surroundings.
Going for reputable brands like Avigilon, openeye and Axis for security school cameras is always a good idea. Cameras like the Avigilon H6 dome, H5 dome, H6X dome camera are perfect dome school cameras that offer complete coverage and security. Another option is the AXIS M32 Dome Camera, P32 Dome camera, and Q35 Dome Camera Series for a budget-friendly dome school camera.
Bullet School Cameras
Bullet school cameras have a cylindrical shape and a protruding lens that allows them to capture long-range and high-quality images. Bullet cameras for school are ideal for outdoor locations, such as entrances, parking lots, and playgrounds, where they can withstand harsh conditions and provide a clear and focused view of the target area. The Axis P14 series is ideal for school safety as they offer 4K resolution, a varifocal lens and built-in IR capability. AXIS are also weather-proof and offer video analytics features.
PTZ School Cameras
PTZ school cameras have pan, tilt, and zoom functions that enable them to rotate, tilt, and zoom in and out to cover a large and dynamic area. PTZ cameras for school are ideal for locations that require flexible and comprehensive coverage, such as stairways, auditoriums, and gyms, where they can follow and capture the movement and details of people and objects. PTZ school cameras from Avigilon like the Avigilon H5A offer 36 to 40X optical zoom, up to 4K resolution and 360-degree rotation to capture everything that goes on in such areas.
360-degree Cameras for School
360-degree School CCTV Security cameras in the parking lots and playgrounds can help you protect the school property and assets and the personal belongings of students and staff. 360 degree School Security cameras deter and detect theft, vandalism, or damage to vehicles, equipment, or facilities and to identify and recover the perpetrators or items. Security cameras for school can also be used to supervise and assist students and staff who are using the outdoor spaces for recreation or transportation.
Which Video Management Software Should You Get
Pairing security cameras for school with AI Video Management Software (VMS) can unlock a host of new features and capabilities for your system, including more storage options.
Some of the best 2024 VMS (Video Management Software) for school security are:
Avigilon Control Center (ACC)
Avigilon Control Center (ACC) is a AI VMS (Video Management Software) that is designed to work with Avigilon cameras and devices and to provide high-performance and high-definition video management. ACC has features and functions such as advanced video analytics, artificial intelligence, facial recognition, license plate recognition, appearance search, focus of attention, and cloud service. ACC also has features and functions such as mobile and web access, remote CCTV monitoring, and integration with third-party systems.
Brivo OnAir
Brivo OnAir is a Video Management Software (VMS) that is designed to work with Axis cameras and devices and to provide cloud-based and mobile video management. Brivo OnAir has features and functions such as live and recorded video viewing, video playback and search, video export and sharing, video backup and recovery, and video encryption and protection. Brivo OnAir also has features and functions such as mobile and web access, remote monitoring, and integration with access control, video intercom, and alarm systems.
Which Security Camera video Storage Option To Get?
Many people need clarification. Which security camera video storage option do you get for the security system?
Video storage is an important component of the security camera system, as it determines the availability and security of data.
Also, business owners need to find out if cloud storage is safer than local storage.
Different types of security camera storage have other benefits and drawbacks. Primarily, cloud storage is more reliable and safe for your business. When data is stored in the cloud, it stays secure even in cases where natural disasters or fires might damage the cameras.
There are two main types of security footage storage: cloud and physical storage.
Cloud storage
Security cameras cloud storage uses the internet to store and access the video footage on a remote server or data center. Cloud storage offers unlimited storage space, easy scalability, automatic backup and recovery, and encryption and protection.
Local storage
Local storage uses local devices or networks to store and access the video footage on a hard drive, a network video recorder (NVR), or a digital video recorder (DVR). Security cameras local storage has certain disadvantages like limited storage space, difficult scalability, manual backup and recovery, and vulnerability to damage or theft.
Some of the companies that offer the best cloud storage service for security camera systems in Canada are
Avigilon Cloud Services (ACS)
ACS is Avigilon cloud storage service that works with Avigilon cameras and Avigilon Control Center (ACC) software. ACS allows you to store and access the video footage on the Avigilon cloud platform, which is hosted on Microsoft Azure. ACS also allows you to remotely monitor and manage your system and to receive notifications and alerts of any events or incidents.
Brivo OnAir
Brivo OnAir works with Axis cameras and devices and Brivo OnAir software. Brivo OnAir allows you to store and access the video footage on the Brivo cloud platform, which is hosted on Amazon Web Services. Brivo OnAir also allows you to remotely monitor and manage your system and to integrate it with access control, video intercom, and alarm systems.
Eagle Eye Networks
Eagle Eye Networks works with various cameras and devices and Eagle Eye Cloud Video Management System. Eagle Eye Networks allows you to store and access the video footage on the Eagle Eye cloud platform, which is hosted on multiple data centers across the world. Eagle Eye Networks also allows you to remotely monitor and manage your system and to integrate it with third-party systems.
Looking To Get A Safety School Security System In Canada?
Are you interested in getting a school security system for your school premises in Canada? Spotter Security offers security camera system design, security camera installation, maintenance, security system management and monitoring to protect your school round-the-clock.
Whether you are in Toronto, Markham, Ottawa or any other Canadian city, Spotter Security offers best-in-class service with over 20 years of experience in security and expertise in security camera systems.
Written by : Carlo Di Leo
At the age of 24, with no experience in the security industry or any money in the bank, Carlo quit his job and started Spotter Security from his parent's basement. Founded in 2004, Spotter grew from a single man operation into a multi-million dollar security system integrator that caters to businessess and construction sites across Canada.