School Security

School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program, Third Edition emphasizes a proactive rather than reactive approach to school security. Through a holistic approach, rather than focusing on a particular threat or event, readers are introduced to basic loss prevention and safety concepts. The book covers fundamental CPTED concepts and addresses bullying, teen suicide, harassment, and dating violence. This updated new edition includes new information throughout on topics such as new legislative requirements, technological advancements such as AI, communications and access control, and even a parent’s guide to school safety.

The book discusses how to positively influence student behavior, lead staff training programs, and write sound security policies. It presents complex security concepts in straightforward language that resonates with educational stakeholders who may not have security backgrounds. It recognizes the financial constraints facing most educational institutions and prioritizes cost-effective solutions. Tiered implementation strategies allow schools to enhance security incrementally within available resources. It also emphasizes integrating security measures into school culture, balancing robust security with maintaining an open, welcoming educational environment—a critical concern overlooked in more technically-oriented security literature.

• Serves as a comprehensive guide for building an effective security program at little or no cost
• Features numerous case studies from diverse educational settings, demonstrating how security principles can be adapted to different environments, from rural elementary schools to large urban campuses
• Contains coverage of the new risks commonly facing schools today, from access control to social media
• Offers practical assessment instruments that security professionals can immediately implement—ready-to-use tools allowing for systematic evaluation of existing security measures without requiring extensive external consultation