The Importance of Radios for Campus Security

In an emergency where cell phone towers are completely overwhelmed by callers, people look to digital two-way radios. Radios are portable devices that can be used to send and receive messages instantaneously.

Security personnel on campuses depend on two-way radios because, without them, their job would be incredibly difficult.

Campus security needs to be able to mobilize quickly and respond to any incident or disturbance within seconds. This is made possible with two-way radios due to their real-time communication capabilities.  

The role of campus security

The role of campus security is extensive and on a large university campus, instant communication is made possible with digital two-way radios. To give you an idea of what a security personnel’s job on campus is, here are some tasks they typically do on an average day:

• They patrol areas on foot or in a motor vehicle to ensure personal, building and
  equipment security.
  ‍
• Routinely examine doors, windows and gates to ensure security.
  ‍
• Monitor buildings for unauthorized persons and/or suspicious activities.
  ‍
• To inform and warn violators of rules, such as loitering and smoking.
  ‍
• Provide escort services to visitors, students, staff and faculty as necessary.
  ‍
• Watches for and reports irregularities, such as security breaches, facility and safety hazards, and emergencies.
  ‍
• Contacts emergency responders, such as police, fire, and/or ambulance personnel, as required.
  ‍
• Remains alert for the presence of unauthorized persons and/or security code violators; approaches suspicious persons and/or notifies police as appropriate; may confront and/or detain violators, as required, until police arrive.

There are many more jobs that campus security does and usually, security personnel will be on their own in an area on campus. This is just another reason why digital wireless technology and two-way radios are so valuable to campus security as it enables coordination among staff.

How do digital two-way radios help create safer campuses?

Immediate, informative communication

Using digital two-way radios, students, teachers, visitors or faculty staff can quickly alert the security team on campus. Two-way radio systems allow users to directly communicate with response teams, shortening response times for police, fire, and ambulance.

The campus security team can use radios to organize themselves and be able to call for backup when necessary. During the event of natural disaster response or campus lockdown, the school staff and security team will have to organize a large number of people. This would be nearly impossible without digital two-way radios.

Reliable communications

Many digital two-way radios work independently of landline and cellular networks. This way they can transmit signals despite coverage gaps, dead spots, through physical obstacles like trees and hills, and inside underground tunnels and basements.

Messages are clear and easy to hear, alleviating confusion that can hinder communication. When communication must be silent, some radios allow for a texting option to send messages discretely.

Advanced control system

On the market today, many digital two-way radios feature technology that can notify users when a gate or door is open or closed without authorization, and then open or close those doors remotely.

This ensures the safety of the security member in times where there is a threat and they need to maintain their distance.

One of the best two-way radios for security is a Hytera radio. They provide digital radios that have their Prompt Alert feature which allows for staff to be notified instantly when there is a threat to campus safety. The alert tone is also fully customizable in both frequency and volume.  

Traceability

Two-way radios can come equipped with tracking features that allow campus security to track campus shuttle buses or other school vehicles in case of emergencies.

Additional technologies that increase safety on campus

In addition to a robust two-way radio communication system, many other wireless technologies increase the safety of students and staff and protect the institution. These include IP video surveillance cameras and body cameras, and call boxes. Internet Protocol (IP) cameras receive images over an IP network and are commonly used for surveillance.

IP video surveillance cameras are in high demand because they can provide superb imaging in both day and night lighting conditions. Live video feeds can be viewed by both campus security and first responders so that they have more situational awareness to plan an appropriate response.

IP cameras can even send images to laptops in vehicles, whether they are part of the campus security or the local police force. Body cameras are a cutting, edge resource for public safety officers.

Here are some other useful accessories for your campus security:

• Push-to-talk microphones
  ‍
• Speaker microphones
  ‍
• Listen-online earpieces

Conclusion

For any school, whether it’s a high school or large university, it’s imperative to have a safe and secure campus for students, teachers, faculty and visitors. If you are looking to secure your campus and need digital two-way radios,  radio rentals, or radio repairs, you can contact Metro Mobile Radio.

‍