A situation recently arose involving a possibly armed individual walking near a Sheridan College campus. Our guards did not hesitate to intervene and reacted promptly and accurately. With the help of their colleagues assigned to the control centre, our guards closed the campus’ perimeter and kept it sealed until all risks were removed. Their speed, situational awareness and knowledge of procedures resulted in a quick and uneventful resolution.

The Sheridan College security administration added, “What really impressed us was, that the day the situation occurred, GardaWorld’s Campus Safety Guards were able to communicate as a team effectively and maintain the safety of others on site while providing everyone with a sense of calm.”

The security guards who responded to the situation at Sheridan College are pictured here. Thank you to our guards for a job well done!

When tasked with managing the security for a college or university, the safety and well-being of every person on each campus are vital. An educational setting should be able to ensure that students, faculty and staff can live, study and work on campus without fear.

GardaWorld offers security solutions specifically designed for the education sector; we work closely with school authorities to design flexible and sustainable security programs that meet the specific security needs of our clients.

Security services

Our security professionals undergo extensive special training to work in educational establishments to assure optimal protection from violent attacks, theft and vandalism and to prevent street gangs, drug dealers and other types of lawbreakers from coming into contact with students within their campuses. One specific example of campus security service we provide is the “safe walk” program, in which a guard will escort a resident to their dormitory, should ever they feel unsafe.

Customer service is an important aspect in serving the college community. When our guards are not performing routine security tours, they are providing directions, opening up classrooms and offering wayfindings. Our security officers are even trained to handle situations with a student experiencing mental health distress. In such a case, we will direct the student to an appropriate resource where they will get help.

Technology

A robust electronic detection system complements the security personnel portion of a campus security program. High-tech surveillance technology, video analytics and electronic access control are key elements.

The use of state-of-the-art video surveillance allows security professionals to monitor large portions of a campus, including remote areas or blind spots, all from one central monitoring station. Equipment ranges from stand-alone cameras to full CCTV coverage for large building complexes and multiple properties.

Video analytics technology automatically analyses video content with the goal to improve security, reduce false alarms, and maximise resources. Video analytics can be calibrated to detect movement in a predetermined area, whether a vehicle stops at a certain check point or if a large crowd is beginning to gather, for example. Specific rules and sensitivity limits are put in place to alert personnel to a possible threat, allowing the local command centre to dispatch resources quickly.

The use of access control cards ensures that staff and students have easy, safe access to their environment while eliminating the costly need to replace locks and keys. Electronic access control integrates with video surveillance and anti-intrusion systems to allow for a holistic approach to managing and controlling authorized access to the facilities.

Find out how GardaWorld can elevate your campus’ security program by contacting us today.