But times have changed. Gone are the days when the only time a policeman visited a school was to talk to kids about bicycle safety or teach kids how to cross the street without getting clobbered by an oncoming car. Today, a safety-patrol student would at best be harassed and humiliated by fellow students and at worst be physically beaten for turning fellow students into the principal. Real policemen carrying firearms have replaced the student safety patrols. There are many elements that go into a successful school-safety strategy.
Technology is just one of the components.
Using technology to help keep schools safe is necessary, but it is not sufficient. It must be used in conjunction with other strategies, the most important of which is leadership and professional development within the school building. Schools should foster leadership among teaching staff and set high expectations for student behavior. Procedures for conduct of both teachers and students should be clearly defined. And policies that promote partnerships with parents and the community should be put in place.