Education Security Symposium Part Of Awareness Campaign

Nov 20, 2007 2:45 PM

PASS Security, an AMAG Technology Symmetry Authorized Reseller, hosted its first Southwestern Illinois K-12 Educational Security Symposium titled, Keeping Our Schools Safe and Secured on Oct. 24, 2007. The program was part of an education campaign PASS Security implemented based on a targeted marketing program created by AMAG Technology. AMAG's Central U.S. regional sales manager, Loren Lloyd, presented the benefits of electronic access control in schools and how it will help school districts prepare and prevent tragedy.

"PASS Security used AMAG's vertical marketing campaign to design our first Southwestern Illinois K-12 Educational Security Symposium," said PASS Security marketing coordinator, Luke Lieberman. "The marketing program and symposium educated area school districts on threat assessment, physical security, self defense and bomb and terrorism threats."

The Griffin Personnel Group's Tom Griffin discussed the psychological profiles and statistics surrounding violence in school systems and what type of person is most likely to commit these violent acts. He demonstrated how several weapons can be brought in a single bag along with a thousand rounds of ammunition.

AMAG's Lloyd, along with PASS Security's Kendall Addison, reviewed how electronic access control and video surveillance can deter and prevent violence. Visitor control is critical, along with being fully prepared with an emergency plan in the event of a crisis.

"Cameras can substitute for the teacher when the teacher is not there," Lloyd said. "And by properly identifying and credentialing everyone, staff will know when an unauthorized person is roaming the hallways and they can escort them to the proper place to be identified and badged."

Short sessions on self defense and grant writing educated attendees on what they can do to protect themselves physically, and how to generate funds to help afford security.

An informative session on how to create bombs and what is considered a bomb enlightened school officials on just how easy it is for a student to make a bomb. Everyday household items are used to create bombs. Lt. Steve Johnson from the Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad explained that attacking a school is of minimal risk to the attacker, while a target rich environment that provides a high psychological and emotional impact. He warned everyone that not only will attacks from students become more vicious and frequent, but that terrorists are plotting to attack schools in rural areas as well.

"The symposium has been very informative. It brings up things you should look for with your safety and employees safety that you don't think about in your daily operation. It shows how unprepared we are for a real crisis. Schools have minimum security, but are we really prepared for real crisis?" asked Principal Melinda Fischer, St. Peter and Paul School, Alton, Ill.

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