Security guards are a vital part of our society. They keep us safe, make sure we follow the law and let us live in peace. But what about those times when they need to be armed? One such case is with school security guards who work at the front desk or as hall monitors. In this blog post, we will explore why some schools have opted to arm their security personnel with firearms on campus.
Historically schools have been seen as “safe havens” where students are protected from the dangers of the outside world. The security presence in most schools has always been to maintain this safe haven, not to take control or protect against any sort of attack.
However, recent events – such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School – have challenged many Americans’ perception of security and safety: 1) Is the security presence keeping students safe? 2) Could an armed security guard mitigate or prevent such an event from happening again? These are questions that school boards and security personnel must consider when making decisions regarding security on campus.
School shootings such as Sandy Hook happen every day across the country, but they remain relatively rare. Most security officials agree that the best way to protect students is by having a security presence at all times and training security personnel in security and security-related issues such as hostage negotiations, crowd control, and CPR/AED training.
The most common reason for arming school security guards is to prevent future tragedies from happening again. A security presence with the ability to use force will be able to protect students and teachers from anyone who is threatening them.
What are the benefits of having armed security guards in schools?
Answering this question requires weighing the benefits against the costs associated with security in general. For many security experts, having an armed security guard is a clear benefit when weighed against the risks of not having one present.
There is a “surveillance effect” whereby security personnel actually deter crime, particularly outside the school. Having security guards visibly present deters potential intruders from attempting to break in or attack students. The presence of an armed security guard can quickly subdue active shooters and prevent casualties.
Armed security guards on campus mean that offenders are likely to be caught sooner than they would if security guards were unarmed. And security personnel can use their position to prevent crime and disorder by keeping students safe while they are on school property.
Armed security guards protect students and staff members against threats like kidnapping or hostage-taking, and help to maintain a constructive learning environment for the day.