Safety first at St. Albans High
Background checks, surveillance cameras used to monitor visitors

Principal Tom Williams helps a visitor sign in to St. Albans Highs new security systems kiosk, which runs background checks. The school is the only one in the state with the technology.   County schools employee Linda Sneed signs in to the system. After running background checks, the kiosk spits out stick-on ID badges.

By Anna L. Mallory
Charleston Gazette Staff writer

CHARLESTON, WV. Fire engine-red signs greeting visitors to St. Albans High are a reminder of a new era, said Principal Tom Williams.

The white etching prompts people to use an intercom to contact office workers, who then will come unlock the door.

Its really sad we have to do it, Williams said.

He said the newest attempt to safeguard the school is just the beginning. In the next couple of weeks, bids will go out for the school, and others, to receive outdoor security cameras.

That way, students and secretaries in the office can unlock the door electronically after visitors identify themselves.

That, combined with an already-used registration kiosk inside, should help students feel safer in the wake of recent violence, he said.

The kiosk from LobbyGuard Solutions LLC requires all visitors to sign in using an electronic device that takes their picture, checks their background against national sex-offender and criminal databases and prints a stick-on ID badge for them to wear.

Visitors can scan their drivers licenses or punch in their own names. The school then has a record of all visitors. Williams said he hasn't had anyone come up with warrants or as an offender, so he doesn't even know what would happen if one did.

The school is supposed to be notified, though.

While no one is certain the exact cost of the electronic access and cameras yet, the kiosk was free.

St. Albans became one of 10 schools nationwide last year to get the system. Now, about 200 schools use it, according to Kevin Allen, LobbyGuards president.

St. Albans is the only school in West Virginia, but Allen said he's trying to talk with surrounding schools about installing the system. Schools as far away as Oklahoma started using it just last month, according to published reports.

Williams admits the system still isn't perfect.

Even though visitors are prompted by messages to sign in, its still voluntary.

Many visitors don't want to scan their licenses or don't have them handy. Allen said the license scanning is important and provides an even better sense of security. The information sent over Internet lines is kept only at the school, though. No one at LobbyGuard can access the information.

Some people in the school could easily bypass the entire sign-in process.

People come in to get their kids and just go to the attendance office and sign out, Williams said. They can be in and out in the time it takes to sign in.

He said he's working to find a better way to implement an overall security plan, including placing the kiosk outside the in main lobby.

To contact staff writer Anna L. Mallory, use e-mail or call 348-5163.

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