Rowan uses technology to better security

Hattiesburg American
Demetrica Smith, 10/06/07

Visitors to Rowan Elementary School no longer sign in on a log sheet like most schools use.

Instead, a computerized system that can identify convicted child predators was put in place this week.

LobbyGuard, a 21st century security guard system, takes a picture of visitors, scans their identifications and automatically does a background check against public records and the nation's child sexual offender database before creating an automated visitor's pass.

"This piece of technology will make it so much easier to regulate who comes in and goes out and identify potential predators," Principal Melvia Fountain said.

If there is a match in the system, it will alert the secretary whose computer is linked to LobbyGuard allowing her to examine the visitor's identification through links to public records to determine whether it is safe to let the visitor through or notify law enforcement for further assistance.

Rowan will be the first school in the state to use the LobbyGuard system, according to the system's manufacturer.

Fountain said LobbyGuard can keep a more accurate record of who visits campus, where they are and why.

The system works with the security cameras that are already strategically placed around the building.

"Our whole focus is providing adequate security to ensure the safety of our children," Fountain said.

The school was able to purchase LobbyGuard from resources through its Cisco Systems Technology Grant.

"The system will help improve school safety," said Jas N Smith, director of communications for the Hattiesburg school district. "Our goal is to provide all the schools in the district with LobbyGuard in the future."

The company that manufactures LobbyGuard said it does provide discount packages for individual schools, as well as entire districts. The company said it has installed more than 300 systems nationwide, but Rowan is the first school in Mississippi to receive it.

"It will serve as a policy enhancement tool and allow the school to do away with the paper sign-in logs," said Brian Allen, a representative for LobbyGuard Solutions. "All the information LobbyGuard researches is public information. It does not have the capability to probe into any confidential records or anything like that."

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