School Fencing
School Fencing
School Fencing
Benefits Considerations
According to Hanover Research’s findings on School Fencing should be properly maintained.2 A damaged
Fencing, there are several benefits to schools having fence will not prevent unauthorized access to the school
proper fencing.2 One of these benefits is ease of or school grounds. In addition, broken and damaged
fencing easily becomes a target for vandalism and
graffiti. The presence of this vandalism and graffiti can
“diminish the respect accorded to school property”.2
Consider choosing a style of fencing or barrier that
enhances security. Fencing should preserve the ability
for natural surveillance. A solid fence or concrete wall
may be secure, but it removes the ability for natural
surveillance both into and out of the school grounds.2
Fencing fits in to the methodology of Crime Prevention
through Environmental Design, also known as CPTED.2
CPTED is “a multi-disciplinary approach to deterring
criminal behavior through the built-in, social, and
administrative environment”.3 CPTED incorporates
aspects such as fencing, bushes and walls to help deter
any kind of criminal behavior. Visual barriers around
the perimeter of a school such as bushes and trees
should be trimmed down so that security personnel and
cameras can observe as much of the school property as
possible. Increased surveillance alone can deter crime
because of the higher chance of being caught.
The style and amount of fencing needed depends greatly
on factors such as; the layout of the school, the location
of the school, and the location of the playground.2 It is
important to take all of these factors in to consideration
when putting up fencing or barriers around school
property.
It is recommended that all schools meet with their local
Police and Fire Departments when making decisions
about physical security. This can ensure that all physical
security changes adhere to fire codes, ADA requirements
and do not impair the ability of emergency services to
respond to an incident.
References
1 - Department of Homeland Security (DHS). K-12 School Security
Survey (Rep.). (2018). Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved
June, 2019.
2 - Hanover Research. School Fencing: Benefits and Disadvantages
(Rep.). (2013, November). Hanover Research. Retrieved June, 2019
from http://www.wssca.org/Resources/Documents/School%20
Fencing-%20Benefits%20and%20Disadvantages.pdf
3 - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL). A
Comprehensive Report on School Safety Technology (Rep.). (2016).
Laurel, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Retrieved June, 2019, from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/
grants/250274.pdf
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