(Garland ISD) July 17, 2013 – While Garland ISD students and staff enjoy their break, one group of district employees is working hard to ensure that schools and offices stay in the same condition they left them. GISD Security works 24 hours a day, seven days a week—including weekends and holidays—to protect the district’s assets.
“We are all one big family,” said Bob Jackson, Security coordinator. “These are our relatives, properties and belongings.”
“It takes someone standing at the gate to protect sheep from wolves,” commented Security Supervisor Larry Nolan. “We are that someone, protecting GISD from potential danger.”
And danger comes in many forms. In addition to crime, the district’s Security Department is also the first line of defense against fire, flood and equipment failure. The 32-member team includes a coordinator, supervisors, officers, dispatchers, phone, P/A, alarm and closed-circuit TV technicians, an analyst and locksmiths.
Any minute of any day, dispatchers can be found in Garland ISD’s command center, answering phone calls, dispatching officers, monitoring building and equipment alarms, controlling after-hours access and watching security cameras. Since last July, they received nearly 40,000 phone calls and more than 2,500 alarms. District buildings also have up to 100 security cameras each.
“Dispatchers have an important job,” said Jackson. “It is imperative that we respond to every alarm and have a fast response time. Something like a fire can cause a lot of damage very quickly.”
Security officers are the first responders when alarms sound. They inspect the buildings and notify police if necessary. They are also on constant patrol of the district, looking for property damage, doors and windows that need to be locked and suspicious activity. During the school year, officers conduct multiple weapons scans and lockdown drills.
“Essentially, we are responsible for every person, place and thing in Garland ISD,” Jackson commented.
Security technicians help protect the latter two, monitoring district equipment to prevent malfunctions. And if one occurs, they are on call 24/7 to come fix it.
Always “on the job,” Jackson says he doesn’t know of any other school district that has around-the-clock watch.
“Most other ISD security departments only work during school hours,” he said.
Mirroring a police department, GISD Security was formed in the 1980s by former employee Fred Dempsey. It started as audio-visual support and then became a partnership with private companies to install and monitor building alarms. Before Jackson took over 15 years ago, Dempsey began hiring officers and brought building security in-house. Most GISD officers have police or military experience. Some have both. Several also work as reserve officers for police departments in neighboring counties when they are off duty.
New for 2013-14, the board voted to arm all GISD security officers. If they have not already obtained their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education certification, they must do so before carrying a weapon. Officers must also complete 40 hours of training, take a psychological evaluation and pass a shooting exam.
Additionally, GISD will hire three new officers for 2013-14, increasing law enforcement presence at elementaries where School Resources Officers split their time between campuses. The amount of patrol possibilities will also increase.
Whether monitoring equipment, answering after-hours alarms or watching security cameras, the purpose of GISD Security is the same as every other department.
“It is all about the kids and making sure that nothing interrupts instruction,” said Nolan.
Submitted by Tiffany Graver, Communications Specialist, Garland ISD.
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