How Video Analytics Can Identify Suspicious Behavior In Schools

Ensuring the safety of students and staff in schools has taken center stage over the past decade, becoming a main focal point following rising numbers of crimes occurring on campus grounds. But while traditional security measures have been effective to some extent, technological advancements are allowing administrators to leverage the power of tech to reshape the school safety landscape. 

Video analytics, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying and preventing suspicious behavior in schools. The potential that this video surveillance capability has to heighten school security is unmatched. It offers the ability to accurately detect and respond to hard-to-catch abnormalities that may be missed by on-site security guards.

Understanding Video Analytics

Video analytics involves the use of sophisticated algorithms to analyze and interpret video footage in real time. This enables cameras to do more than just passively record events. Instead, they can actively assess the scene and identify specific suspicious behaviors or patterns that deviate from the norm. 

This technology brings automation to the surveillance process, limiting the reliance on human operators, like on-site security guards, and reducing their potential limitations due to human error.

Benefits Of Video Analytics In Schools

Early Threat Detection

Video analytics can quickly identify and flag any behaviors that may pose a threat. Whether it’s an unauthorized person entering the premises or someone acting in a suspicious manner, these systems can raise alerts in real time. Then, security personnel can promptly intervene and assess the situation.

Reduced Human Error

Human operators can become fatigued or miss critical details in a video feed if they have to step away. Video analytics, on the other hand, are consistent, objective, and reliable. This significantly reduces the risk of oversight or misinterpretation, which is crucial when protecting the safety of students. 

Cost-Effective Solution

Employing a large number of security personnel to patrol the premises or monitor cameras around the clock can be expensive. Not to mention, some areas that are hard to reach or keep an eye on simultaneously may be missed. 

Video analytics systems can significantly reduce these drawbacks by eliminating the need for constant human monitoring, optimizing resource allocation, and lowering overall costs.

Behavior Pattern Analysis

Video analytics can be trained to recognize patterns of suspicious behavior. For instance, loitering in specific areas, unusual movement patterns, or people accessing restricted zones. This feature can help schools zero in on common concerns and allow security personnel to predict potential threats before they escalate. 

Customization

No two schools are exactly alike. The frequency of safety threats and the kind of safety threats facing campuses can vary based on a wide range of factors– including campus layout, neighborhood, community crime rates, and more. 

That’s why empowering schools to customize video analytic systems to match their unique security needs is crucial. Whether the technology is identifying individuals not wearing proper identification badges or detecting specific items like weapons, schools can tailor it to their requirements in order to enhance security in key areas.

Key Applications Of Video Analytics In Schools

Intrusion Detection

Video analytics can alert security personnel when someone enters a restricted area or attempts to breach the perimeter. This can be particularly useful during non-school hours to prevent vandalism or theft and during large events. During these functions, like school dances or open houses, monitoring big crowds becomes more challenging for security personnel.

Unattended Object Detection

Unattended objects, such as backpacks or briefcases, can create panic and cause confusion. Video analytics can identify objects that are left behind and trigger alerts to on-site security guards. This ensures swift action to address any potential threats and peace of mind among the school community.

Bullying And Altercation Detection

By analyzing body language and behaviors, video analytics can also identify instances of bullying, fights, or altercations on school premises. This decreases response time, especially if no staff members are located nearby, and allows administrators to intervene before the situation can escalate.

Student Attendance Monitoring

Keeping track of attendance can be a lofty task with large student populations, especially if students are allowed to leave campus for “lunch leave” during off periods. 

However, video analytics can bridge the gap and automate the process of monitoring student attendance by identifying when students enter or exit the school premises. This reduces the administrative burden on staff and may come in handy later when resolving any attendance disputes.

Emergency Response Assistance

Finally, in the event of an emergency, video analytics can relay critical real-time information to first responders. This valuable insight can help emergency crews better understand the situation before they arrive on the scene and execute the most effective response plan possible.

Challenges And Considerations When Deploying Video Analytics In Schools

While using video analytics in schools certainly offers substantial benefits, it’s also crucial to address some key challenges.

Primarily, it is critical to balance the need for security with individual privacy rights. Before schools decide on a deployment plan, they must ensure that they respect the privacy of students and staff. In a similar vein, educational institutions must use video analytics ethically and responsibly. Communicating the presence of this technology to students, staff, and visitors and ensuring its purpose is clear is vital.

It’s also important to keep in mind that no technology is perfect. So, video analytics systems can sometimes generate false alerts due to environmental factors or innocent behaviors that appear suspicious. Fine-tuning the algorithms and minimizing false positives is essential to maintain the system’s credibility, which can be accomplished with the help of a trusted security partner.

Additionally, dependence on technology means that system malfunctions or power outages could potentially disrupt surveillance operations. Backup plans and redundant systems are necessary to ensure there are no lapses in monitoring. 

Finally, the video footage collected on school premises holds sensitive information that requires secure storage and transmission to prevent unauthorized access.

Video Analytics Are The Future Of School Safety

In an era where safety concerns for both students and staff are paramount, the integration of video analytics technology offers schools a powerful tool to enhance security and prevent incidents. By detecting and responding to suspicious behavior in real time, these systems empower schools to take proactive measures that can prevent potential threats from escalating.

However, striking a balance between security and privacy while ensuring ethical and responsible use of the technology remains essential. As video analytics continues to evolve, schools have an opportunity to create safer learning environments that prioritize the well-being of students, staff, and visitors alike.

RESOLUTE Partners offers Commercial Surveillance Systems, Live Video Monitoring Services, and video security solutions for commercial and government enterprises. Contact Us to learn more.