The Escondido Union School District’s approach to securing our campuses has evolved over the years, adapting to the changing times. While EUSD has always taken a multilayered, proactive approach to security, the district has made numerous upgrades based on guidance and best practices from the FBI, state and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Secret Service, and, perhaps most importantly, from our own community. Some of these changes are noticeable, while others are behind the scenes.

Updates on security initiatives will be presented twice a year at EUSD Board of Education meetings. Here is a look at how EUSD is working to ensure a safe, secure, and well-equipped school environment for our students, employees, families, visitors, and greater community.

Camera-based doorbell systems are now common for residential use, and we have now sourced similar, new systems designed to withstand frequent daily use at our very active campuses. These systems will be installed near the main office entrance of the campus. Depending on the location of a school’s main entry gate, the system will be placed at the gate closest to the school office or directly next to the office entrance. Staff members in the office will be able to talk to, listen to, and see visitors at the entrance. Visitors can expect to press the doorbell, and then be greeted by a school staff member who will ask for the reason for the visit. With these systems, the door to the main office will not open until a staff member inside communicates with the visitor and allows access. 

Privacy screens are being installed along the fences around many of our playgrounds, especially those that are visible from the street or the front parking lot of a school. These screens help restrict visibility into our playgrounds, providing an added measure of privacy and security for our students.

We are improving upon our existing use of security video cameras at our school sites to maximize efficiency and coverage. Poles with new cameras atop them are being installed at all schools. This camera system will provide coverage for the entire perimeter of a campus. School security cameras are an effective tool for helping to deter theft, vandalism, potential threats, and other potential criminal activity. Security cameras are located in public spaces only, excluding classrooms and restrooms. Signs are posted in prominent locations at school sites to inform students, employees, and visitors that activity in the area is being recorded.

EUSD has established a Security Operations Center, staffed by a team of security professionals with backgrounds in military and civilian law enforcement. This team provides around-the-clock monitoring of the district’s security cameras, with a focus on the new campus-perimeter systems in order to detect intruders or unwanted activity adjacent to our schools. From its base at a central location, the team has the ability to implement a lockdown at any campus. The Security Operations Center is directly connected with the Escondido Police Department dispatch center.

EUSD uses Hall Pass to keep track of visitors to school sites. Hall Pass requires any visitor to present their driver’s license or other government-issued identification card in order to obtain a pass to enter the school. The driver’s license or ID is scanned to instantly determine if the visitor is listed in Hall Pass’ integrated, comprehensive national database of sex offender registries or on the district’s restricted visitor list. Visitors cleared by the ID scan are issued a photo ID badge good for that day’s visit to the school.

All California public schools are required to develop and maintain a Comprehensive School Safety Plan designed to address campus risks, prepare for emergencies, and create a safe, secure learning environment for students and employees. Designated stakeholders engage in a systematic planning process to develop strategies and policies to prevent and respond to potential incidents involving emergencies, natural and other disasters, hate crimes, violence, intruders, bullying and cyberbullying, discrimination and harassment, child abuse and neglect, discipline, suspension and expulsion, and other safety aspects. In EUSD, school safety plans are developed through the Integrated Student Supports department.

All district phones have the capability to call 911 directly. Phones also are equipped with one-touch options for requesting immediate assistance on-campus or for administrators to make campus-wide announcements.