Intruder Alert!

Every year our schools are visited by thousands of people, that’s a good thing.  Sometimes people can struggle with the notion of making our schools both welcoming spaces where all individuals are seen and valued, and secure spaces where we feel safe, and know we belong - it seems those two ideas are at odds with each other. Let me show you they are not and how we can make our schools both secure and welcoming.

Nearly every public place we go to, stores, venues, and restaurants are welcoming places, indeed their very success depends on attracting and making people comfortable. All of these places also have private (secure) spaces where the public is not permitted.  You are not permitted in the kitchen, behind the bar, or check-out counter.  So what causes the confusion in a school? The difference in a school is that the student population seems like “the public” so our non-student visitors feel like they should be able to go to the same places students go. In order to define the difference, we need to...

Make it obvious.  

The use of visible, multilingual signage and physical barriers help guide school visitors to where they should go. If these cues are obvious, clear, and easy to follow, our visitors will not see these things as unwelcoming “security” they will see them as design.  We are saying to our visitors, “Thank you for coming. We’ve been expecting you. Let us help you.” Just like the maitre’d at the restaurant or concierge at a hotel these cues say, “Not only do we welcome you, we planned ahead for your arrival.” 

Employee ID Badges.

Employee ID and visitor badges serve as a form of instant identification for everyone in the building and increase a sense of safety for our students. An ID is a quick way for students to be able to verify that a person can be trusted and has the ability to help them. Because the ID provides an aspect of familiarity it ultimately helps build students' relationships with staff much faster. Visitors who are wearing a visitor ID will also appreciate that you are displaying an ID like they are - it instantly gives them a sense of belonging. Just like the cues mentioned above, ID badges should be worn consistently and should be readily visible, worn high on your chest or on a lanyard around your neck. 

Intruder Alert.

Occasionally we might meet someone in the school that looks out of place. You might have noticed them entering through a side door or you might see they don’t have an ID badge or visitor pass. You’ve noticed something amiss. What should you do? What are your options? Use these key strategies to help you.

Be Direct.  

Some situations are straightforward and being direct is your best option.  Be kind and polite, introduce yourself, and state your job, which along with your ID badge, will help establish your authority. Ask if you can help or make an inquiry about the person's presence here. What you are really saying is, “This is who I am. I work here. Are you supposed to be here too?” In this way, you can quickly define their motivations. It looks like this;

     “Hi I’m Mr. Johnson, I’m a teacher here.  May I help you?”

     “Hello I’m Mrs. Smith, I’m a custodian here. What brings you to our school today?”

Most people will recognize this interaction for what it is and give you a helpful explanation. If they do not or you get varying degrees of resistance then you may need to...

Get Creative.  

Persistence and thinking on your feet can go a long way to revealing the situation.  You might choose to stay engaged and try to keep the conversation going. Try blaming a policy. 

     “We have a visitor check-in policy and I’ll get reprimanded if I don’t take you to the office.”

Or you might let them know you’re not going away.

     “I’m going the same way, I’ll walk with you?”

If you feel unsafe you might choose to disengage and keep your distance but don’t give up - continue to observe and...

Be Resourceful. 

Sometimes the best strategy is to alert others of the situation. This may mean getting someone who is better able to help address the situation. It may also mean getting more people around you to recognize the problem and join in helping. You might use a cell phone to call the office or call 911 for help. Enlisting the help of others also sends a strong message to an intruder that you have more power and resources than they do.  Remember even the most nefarious individual has fewer resources than you do as a staff member. When in doubt, be safe and get help.

The Good News.  

It might be easy to think a stranger in your building without a visitor pass is dangerous when, in fact, they are most likely not dangerous.  Most people you will encounter have just missed the cues directing them to the office. Most have a legitimate reason to be in the school and will cooperate and in fact, even appreciate your interaction with them.