Hatboro-Horsham Introduces New School Security

Hatboro-Horsham administrators are using high-tech electronic screening equipment to ensure that all who enter the buildings are free from child endangerment offenses. 

The EasyLobby Visitor Management system, which cost about $9,000 in initial setup costs per school and $6,000 total in subsequent years, will be installed at all of the district's schools by year's end, according to Superintendent Curtis Griffin.  

The new equipment, which is situated in the vestibule at Keith Valley Middle School, requires that visitors scan their driver's license and input the name of the person whom they are meeting with before gaining access to the building. 

Within seconds, the system checks the individual's criminal record, looking particularly for warrants, Megan's Law violations, any Protection From Abuse orders and, potentially, unique custody issues. Based on the results, the system will either permit access, or not. 

"This becomes a very quick and simple way to check if they have any issues," Griffin said, adding that it helps to "create additional barriers between our visitors and the student population."

To date, Griffin said the system found one "hit." In that instance, he said Jeff Tomlinson, the district's director of security escorted the outside maintenance person in and escorted the person out. 

"We're still working through all the final protocols," Griffin said, adding that perhaps people with child endangerment criminal offenses will stay away. "We hope that some of it is a deterrent."

Even though the district allowed access with the maintenance person, Griffin said the company was notified that that particular individual could not do work for Hatboro-Horsham School District. And, in the instance of a long-term project, Griffin said, "they would not be permitted to work here."

Between last year's Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the sex abuse scandal involving Jerry Sandusky and his work with children throughThe Second Mile, Griffin said the board decided to "move forward" on its stepped up security this year. 

Boosting security

According to school district budget figures presented in January, Hatboro-Horsham's security spending will rise by 679 percent from the 2008-2009 school year to the 2013-2014 school year. Five years ago, the district spent $14,800 on security. For the upcoming school year, that amount is expected to be $115,381.

Besides unarmed contracted security personnel who monitor the schools, Griffin said the district has installed additional cameras. At Keith Valley, for instance, he said there are "19 vantage points in the building."

Cameras and footage from them can be used to monitor an "episode," or something as simple as when someone enters and exits the bathroom in the case of graffiti, according to Principal Jonathan Kircher.

Hatboro-Horsham is also looking at ways to "zone and wing our buildings" so that, should tragedy strike, officials could isolate the area. 

The last prong of the multi-faceted security approach involves the possibility of hiring police to work as school resource officers.

Going forward, Griffin said the district would continue with safety drills and would continue to look at its procedures and best practices.

"You would rather be safe than sorry," he said. "People entrust the safety of their children to us. It's a trust factor."