Video Surveillance Could Stop Children From Misbehaving…

The days of unruly children and frazzled bus drivers may be over; or, at the very least, subsiding. Many schools are now implementing the use of surveillance cameras in various positions on school buses. The cameras have the capability to work in lowlight conditions as well as daylight; and are omni-directional, recording all areas of the bus. The video surveillance is not only on the children; some cameras are also equipped with GPS technology that monitors the safety of the bus and driver. 

Not only are children being monitored on their ways to and from school, there are also plenty of surveillance monitors in their hallways and classrooms once they arrive. Naturally, faculty cannot be everywhere at once. Surveillance cameras provide a way to maintain security in places that may have at one time been difficult to monitor. Security cameras in schools are generally equipped with the ability to scan, tilt, and zoom and are recorded with DVRs for easy storage and playback. 

Proponents taut the fact that knowledge of “being watched” hinders a student’s likelihood to misbehave, thus reducing the amount of disorder and even violence in the classroom and after school hours. Opponents, however feel like depending on technology for the resolution of discipline issues may not be the answer, and reference the tragedy at Columbine High School to defer ideas that monitoring reduces violence. There have also been questions about the legality of constantly recording the children’s activities. In fact, some schools have been sued for recording audio along with the video for an invasion of their right privacy. They were denied, on the basis that the children did not have an expectation of privacy. Security cameras can not be placed where there is a “reasonable expectation of privacy.” 

Whatever your stance may be on the use of security cameras in schools and buses, become involved with your local school to help make the decision that considers the needs of your children and the children of your community.

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