Securing School Buildings in Colorado Springs

Learn how schools in Colorado Springs are using security kiosks and access control systems to prevent unauthorized access to their buildings.

Securing School Buildings in Colorado Springs

The Attorney General of Colorado has created a legal manual to help reduce and prevent school violence and ensure safety. Security kiosks are one of the tools used to keep schools safe from unauthorized people entering facilities. These kiosks provide an extra layer of protection by helping to easily identify visitors. Students who attend off-campus parties should be aware that properties surrounding the campus are subject to Colorado Spring's open container laws and that they may face legal and behavioral consequences if they break this law.

This policy is in accordance with the 1989 amendments to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act. The school resource officer, who is a police officer with specific training to protect the school environment, is usually responsible for running this police station. When a school is interested in installing a security access system, it is essential to find one that fits the needs of district buildings. Students interested in trick skating can explore the many skate parks in the Colorado Springs community.

For operational and security reasons, access to some areas of the campus and campus buildings is restricted. A guest is any student who does not live in a particular residential space, but is hosted by a resident of that space, or anyone who is not a member of the Colorado College community and is being hosted on campus by a student. The Federal Commission on School Safety recognized that school violence was a major concern and required greater work to guide school districts to ensure that such incidents did not occur. Threat assessment begins at the school level, and principals, counselors, and assistant principals receive training on the early warning signs of violence and specific instruction on the threat assessment process.

For detailed information on fire safety and drills in residential facilities, see the residential living procedures page. These access control options to school buildings provide districts with many options on how best to protect their campuses. The Department of School Safety trains security personnel and other school and district staff on preventing bullying, treating struggling teens, recognizing and interdicting gangs, workplace violence, crime prevention, threat assessment, and overall school safety. In keeping with Colorado College's mission to build a community, there is a three-year residency requirement.

For more information about this policy or for more information about the exemption from this policy, see Residency Requirements. Additionally, climbing or scaling walls of any university building is prohibited for safety and privacy reasons as well as to maintain the state of the buildings. Many school districts already use access cards as part of their access control system for school buildings.

Liz Lamons
Liz Lamons

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