Outside the school, the campus parking lots, all entranceways, and playgrounds should be easily seen from various areas in the school and from points on the outside. Inside the school, hallways, teaching and administrative areas and cafeterias should be easily viewed. Hallways, cafeterias and stairwells should be designed to facilitate monitoring. If they cannot be seen easily, video technology can often overcome this limitation. There are three functions of video surveillance.
Video technology can serve best if it is used correctly.
Frequently, schools have video cameras that monitor hallways but are not positioned to provide visual access to areas that are out of direct sight, such as entranceways and stairways. Video technology is of little value if the monitors are not positioned where someone can see them easily. Often video monitors are located in the principal s office, in conference rooms, or in locked spaces where no one sees them. Monitors should be placed in front of a clerk or secretary who sits most of the day. Watching the screen is not a full-time job if the monitors are in front of someone.