Students and Perceived School Safety: The Impact of School Security Measures

Although secondary school violence has actually decreased, public concern over student safety is still prevalent. One response
to publicized school violence has been the implementation of security measures (metal detectors, cameras) and policies (visitor
sign in, locked doors). While these changes may decrease school violence, little research has examined the effect these security
measures have on student perceptions of school safety. Utilizing the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth),
this study found that metal detectors and the number of visible security measures employed in school were associated with
a decrease in student reports of feeling safe. Students who were male, White, had higher GPAs, and reported feeling safe in
their neighborhood were more likely to report feeling safe at school, while those who experienced prior victimizations, had
larger class sizes, and who attended schools that had disorder problems were more likely to report not feeling safe at school.