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Security Initiative

Security planning and implementation is critical to keep students and staff safe in our school facilities. As we continue our work to implement security vestibules across our school district, a multi-disciplinary approach named, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), is applied to our design strategies. Key components of CPTED that relate to more secure entrances include:

  • Natural Surveillance: People are less likely to commit crimes if they feel they are being observed. Natural surveillance involves the designing of features to maximize the visibility of areas that should be observed.
  • Access Control: Limiting and regulating entrances reduces opportunities for crime and allows for more efficient screening of persons entering a facility.
  • Territoriality: The clear delineation of space creates a sense of ownership for legitimate users (staff and students) and creates an environment where intruders are more likely to standout.

The implementation of security vestibules at all of our school facilities will provide additional protection by adding a secured space while introducing a single point of entry. Vestibules are secured spaces with two of more sets of doors that only allow visitors access to one space within the building. In addition to the added security of knowing who is visiting the school, a security vestibule also serves as a single point of entrance for students who are late to school or coming from an appointment, as all other doors to the school remain locked while school is in session.

Security Vestibules

Security planning and implementation is critical to keep students and staff safe in our school facilities. Vestibules are secured spaces with two or more sets of doors that only allow visitors access to one space within the building. They limit and regulate entrances, allowing for more efficient screening of people entering a facility.

In addition to the added security of knowing who is visiting the school, a security vestibule also serves as a single point of entrance for students who are late to school or coming from an appointment, as all other doors to the school remain locked while school is in session.

There are currently 188 Montgomery County Public Schools that operate with active security vestibules.

  • Six of these vestibules will be constructed in the summer of 2021 for a 2021-2022 school year implementation.
  • Eight schools are in final design process and will be scheduled for construction either the summer 2021 or summer 2022.
  • One school will have a security vestibule with the completion of the replacement school for a 2022-2023 school year implementation.
  • Four schools will have a security vestibules with the completion of the replacement school for a 2023-2024 school year implementation.

School Safety and Security Website