A heightened security awareness depends on making people aware of, and partners in, your security policies and procedures. For example, is everyone at your site prepared to:

• Help control access to the building (keeping doors locked, not blocking them open, not holding doors open for unauthorized persons)?
• Help enforce visitor management by identifying possible trespassers? (A simple “May I help you find your way?” can be used to steer individuals to the check-in site.)
• Notice and report lapses in the physical environment that could affect safety?
• Help reduce behaviors such as bullying or intimidation that detract from a climate of respect?

Willingness to engage people as security partners in these ways relies on having established a climate of trust.

Tip: Getting Input

Surveys are a useful tool for gaining input from those in your organization. The team should survey the community (students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, members of the congregation) to find out what concerns they may have and how aware they are of programs and systems that are in place. Remember that perceptions are potent and may influence people as much as reality.