TACTICAL SITE SURVEYS – A Proven Way To Improve Any Facility by Michael Dorn & Chris Dorn
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antiterrorism efforts, cuts long -term maintenance costs and minimizes civil liability. In recent years, thousands of school and public safety officials across the United States have learned how to coordinate their own tactical site surveys. In this feature article, Michael and Chris Dorn will show how safety officials have saved their organizations millions while reducing risk and most assuredly saving lives. Every school should be evaluated by a properly coordinated tactical site survey team at least once each year. More comprehensive than a fire inspection, crime prevention through environmental design assessment or simple security audit, the tactical site survey is a mulThis woodshop teacher’s office window was designed so the staff tidisciplinary hazard member could supervise students. Students in this particular woodand vulnerability assessshop have cut off fingers on three occasions. At least two of those ment of the facility as have resulted in litigation. In addition, the teacher is leaving himself well as the grounds, vulnerable for allegations of sexual misconduct by students. School parking areas and even staff who molest children frequently block windows in this manner to the surrounding neighcreate privacy with students.
The tactical site survey process can improve the work environment while also enhancing the teaching and learning conditions for schools. The process also helps to reduce crime and violence, enhances
Finding ways to connect students to their school helps to reduce vandalism and crime. The staff at East High School in Green Bay Wisconsin has gone to the trouble of creating motivational posters featuring staff and students to connect the people to the place. Last year, a student came forward and reported that other students were planning an attack at the school. The attack which was deemed “imminent” did not occur because the staff made this student feel comfortable reporting the incident.
borhood. This proactive process is designed to find and correct common haz-
BEVANDA RCHITECTURE Email: office-barch@shaw.ca #208 - 399 Main Street, Penticton, B.C. Canada, V2A 5B7 Tel: 250 492 1005 Fax: 250 492 5999
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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007
Specializing in custom supply & installation of Talius Rollshutters and vandal-proof screens.
