“He was only 14. He had warned the school that he didn’t feel safe. They didn’t listen.”
That’s what the family of Armando Flores is left to remember after the teen was stabbed to death outside Santa Ana High School on May 7, 2024. His parents have now filed a legal claim against the district, arguing it failed to provide school safety and basic campus security.
But Armando wasn’t the first.
- In Van Nuys, five students were injured during a stabbing at Van Nuys High School in November 2023.
- In Palermo, two children were shot at Feather River Adventist School just a few months earlier.
- In Los Angeles Unified, violence has surged (fights, assaults, threats) so much that some students report feeling afraid to walk the halls.
Tragic incidents like these are no longer rare. They are a wake-up call. In 2024 alone, there were 39 school shootings in the U.S., resulting in numerous casualties and a pervasive sense of fear among students and parents. We’re well past the point of asking whether schools need stronger protection. The real question is how quickly we can act and how experienced security providers can help implement effective, lasting solutions.
In this blog, we’ll explore what comprehensive security measures look like and how ASF can help you create a safe school environment.
What Are the Most Common Security Threats on School Grounds?
Every day, schools across the country deal with a range of safety risks that go beyond worst-case headlines. These incidents disrupt learning, threaten lives, and highlight why security in schools must be treated as essential infrastructure, not a luxury.
Here are the most common types of school safety threats:
- Student-on-student violence: Fights, assaults, and altercations in hallways, lunchrooms, and school grounds.
- Weapons on campus: Knives, firearms, or makeshift weapons being brought to school, often undetected.
- Unauthorized visitors or intruders: Individuals entering without ID or purpose, including former students or strangers.
- Vandalism and property destruction: Damage to classrooms, buses, or surveillance equipment.
- Theft: Personal items, school tech, or staff equipment stolen from unsecured areas.
- Cyberbullying and online threats: Social media-fueled violence, doxxing, and digital harassment that lead to real-world consequences.
- Emergency lockdowns: Resulting from neighborhood crimes, swatting incidents, or suspicious activity near school grounds.
Such incidents affect all types of educational institutions, from K-12 public and private schools to college campuses and community learning centers. They also underscore why questions like how to practice safety at school or whether schools should have security guards are no longer theoretical; they’re urgent.
Why Is School Safety a Concern in the United States?
Rising Incidents of Violence
The sharp rise in school violence isn’t isolated to the most dangerous cities, busy urban districts, or large universities. From small private schools to sprawling public campuses, safety breaches are happening in classrooms, hallways, and even parking lots. No institution is immune, and violence can strike anywhere. Across the United States, 2024 saw the second-highest number of school shootings on record, according to K12 Dive. Experts say the violence is escalating, and it’s affecting children in both public and private schools, from elementary campuses to college classrooms.
Psychological Impact on Students and Staff
The threat of violence has profound psychological effects. The emotional impact of this crisis is just as serious as the physical danger. According to a recent report, 80% of parents believe the threat of school shootings has deeply affected their children’s educational experience. Many students now associate school not with safety or stability, but with fear and anxiety. Learning suffers. Trust erodes. And teachers are left to manage trauma in addition to the curriculum.
Public Demand for Enhanced K-12 Security
There is a growing consensus among parents and educators on the need for more robust security measures. Surveys across California show overwhelming support for increased security in schools. This includes the return of trained guards, the installation of surveillance systems, and clear emergency procedures.
According to a Public Policy Institute of California study,
- 78% of Californians said they were either very or somewhat concerned about the threat of mass shootings in local schools.
- 62% of public school parents specifically supported having armed police officers on K-12 campuses.
The survey indicated increased support for school safety measures, consistent across political lines and demographic groups.
How to Practice Safety at School?
Knowing how to practice safety at school requires more than common-sense rules and morning announcements. Schools must take a comprehensive approach to student safety and address both daily risks and worst-case scenarios. The following strategies represent the most effective, real-world measures for improving school safety across K-12 and higher education institutions.
Professional Security Personnel
Hiring trained school security guards is one of the most effective steps schools can take to prevent violence and disruption. Their role goes beyond presence. They offer:
- Rapid emergency response in the event of fights, intrusions, or weapons on campus.
- Visible deterrence against threats like unauthorized entry or student altercations.
- Relationship-building with staff and students, fostering trust and accountability.
- Consistent coverage during after-school programs, arrival times, and peak foot traffic periods.
Security personnel help maintain order, de-escalate situations, and provide immediate intervention when safety is at risk.
Advanced Surveillance Systems
Modern school surveillance systems provide real-time visibility across campus and support faster decision-making during emergencies. Key components include:
- High-definition security cameras positioned at key points on school grounds
- AI-powered monitoring tools to detect abnormal behavior or crowd patterns
- Weapons detection scanners that can screen for firearms or knives
- Live feeds integrated with first responders and central monitoring teams
- Data retention for incident reviews, investigations, and compliance
By investing in surveillance technology for schools, administrators gain both preventive and reactive capabilities to better protect students.
Access Control Measures
Unsecured entry points are one of the most common vulnerabilities in educational environments. Schools can improve control through:
- Secure ID systems for students, staff, and authorized personnel
- Visitor check-in protocols, including scanning, badging, and supervised access
- Electronic access systems to track entry logs and restrict off-limit zones
- Routine audits to identify weak spots in the school perimeter security
A well-managed security system in schools starts with access control. It ensures only those who belong are allowed in. This way, you can reduce the risk of threats before they occur.
Emergency Preparedness Training
Irrespective of the nature of the risk, emergency first response is critical for ensuring campus security. Staying prepared starts with recognizing early warning signs of potential threats. The best school safety plans are only effective if staff and students know how to respond to them when they notice them. Regular emergency preparedness training helps build a culture of awareness and resilience through:
- Scheduled lockdown and evacuation drills
- Clear procedures for various threat types (active shooter, fire, severe weather)
- Training on how to report suspicious behavior
- Coordination with local law enforcement and first responders
Practicing safety at school needs to happen every day. In order to avoid slipping into a routine of just hoping for the best, you need to actively enforce good practices.
American Security Force: Your Partner in School Safety in California
Creating a truly safe school environment takes more than isolated upgrades; it requires a coordinated, expert-driven approach. At American Security Force, we deliver customized security solutions for K-12 schools, campuses, private academies, charter schools, community colleges, and universities.
As a trusted provider of security for schools across the Los Angeles area and California, we understand that no two campuses are alike. Our team works closely with administrators to assess risk, identify vulnerabilities, and implement the right mix of personnel, technology, and protocols to match each school’s unique needs and culture.
Trained Security Officers
Our professional security guards receive special training for campus environments and school-specific safety challenges. From monitoring high-traffic areas to managing entry points and responding to emergencies, they act as both deterrents and first responders, trained to intervene quickly, communicate clearly, and de-escalate dangerous situations before they turn into tragedies. Whether stationed at the front gate or patrolling after hours, they bring confidence and control to your campus.
Surveillance Technology
We equip schools with advanced surveillance systems designed for educational settings. This includes high-definition video coverage across entryways, hallways, parking areas, and common spaces. Our solutions can also incorporate AI-powered detection to flag unusual behavior or objects. Integrated with live monitoring, our systems provide real-time alerts and crucial visibility when every second counts.
Access Control Systems
Who has access to your school, and when? ASF’s customized electronic access control solutions help manage movement throughout your campus. This includes keyless entry, visitor screening, and staff authentication. We design systems that keep unwanted visitors out and help maintain a safe, secure flow for those who belong.
Emergency Response Planning
Besides creating an effective school safety plan, you also need to test it. Our security specialists help schools build and refine emergency response protocols. Based on expertise built through experience in school settings, we cover all aspects from active shooter situations to lockdowns, evacuations, and medical crises. We offer consultation, plan development, and on-site training. Our job is to ensure that your staff and students are ready to respond with confidence and clarity, no matter the gravity of the situation.
By partnering with American Security Force, schools can proactively address safety concerns and create a secure learning environment for all.
Ready to Take Action for a Safer Educational Future?
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your existing security infrastructure or build a safety plan from the ground up, American Security Force is ready to help. Together, we’ll create a secure, focused learning environment where students can thrive and where safety is never left to chance.
Get in touch with us and book a free school security consultation. Discover where your campus is most vulnerable, and how to strengthen it before safety is compromised.
