While not all college shootings occur because of negligent security, negligent security could be a factor in some of these horrific events.
Colleges have a duty to provide reasonable security for students, faculty, and guests. What constitutes reasonable security will differ from campus to campus. For example, colleges in inner cities may require different types of security than colleges on self-contained campuses in more rural areas.
What Should Colleges Do?
We know that school shootings can happen anywhere and colleges should have reasonable security procedures in place to protect people on campus. Some of those security measures many include:
- Secure entry to buildings. This may include locked dorms, gates to certain areas of campus, front desk personnel in certain buildings, and other measures.
- Surveillance cameras. These may be important in many buildings, including student centers, athletic facilities, libraries, and other spaces.
- Security patrols. A security presence on campus can be important.
- Lockdown and evacuation procedures. These procedures should be known and practiced.
Other specific security measures may also be important to prevent shootings and other violent attacks—or to protect those on campus if an incident is in progress.
How to Know If a College’s Security Is Adequate
Of course, there may be times when a college had reasonable security and a determined shooter is able to get in and harm people anyway. Accordingly, if you have ever find yourself hurt or mourning the loss of a loved one because of a college shooting, then it is important to go over the unique facts of your case with an experienced attorney. Such a consultation is free and can answer your individual questions.
If you would like to learn more about negligent security, please download a free copy of our report, Negligent Security: What You Need to Know About It, today.
