Security cameras show no evidence of improving school safety, and evidence does not support expanding metal detector use¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r? · q2
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? The one study examining security camera implementation found cameras were not associated with reduced crime or social disturbance. → dePaoli 2023 q2 i? Of two non-causal studies of metal detectors, one found reduced weapon carrying but neither found reduced threats, fights, or victimization; detectors are associated with lower student perceptions of safety. → dePaoli 2023 (2)

Evidence¶

dePaoli 2023¶

dePaoli, J., & McCombs, J. (2023). Safe schools, thriving students: Evidence-based strategies for creating safe and supportive schools. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/701.445

q2 · i? · review · r?

The review reports that despite 91% of schools using cameras in 2019–20, only one study examined their impact, finding cameras "not associated with reduced crime or social disturbance."

"There is little evidence on the impact of security cameras on school safety. The one study that examined the impact of implementing security cameras on school safety found security cameras were not associated with reduced crime or social disturbance."

dePaoli 2023 (2)¶

dePaoli, J., & McCombs, J. (2023). Safe schools, thriving students: Evidence-based strategies for creating safe and supportive schools. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/701.445

q2 · i? · review · r?

The review reports a literature review identifying only two studies, both survey-based and neither allowing causal interpretation. The second study, using national survey data, found no relationship between metal detectors and student reports of victimization.

"one study of New York City high school students found a relationship between the presence of metal detectors in schools and reduced rates of students reporting carrying weapons to school, but no relationship between the presence of metal detectors and the number of threats or physical fights."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Safety — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• There is no evidence that arming school staff improves school safety, and one study found an armed guard present was associated with more deaths in school shootings — related
• Common physical and exclusionary safety measures can cause harm to the very students schools are trying to protect — a broader claim this one bears on
• Two mass shootings exemplify how metal detectors can be insufficient at stopping such attacks — related
• Metal detector use disproportionately affects students of color, who are more likely to pass through detectors daily — related
• Metal detector effectiveness depends heavily on the human element: training, correct operation and functioning equipment — related
• Students report feeling less safe and more likely to perceive violence and disorder in schools with metal detectors — related
• Available data suggest schools with metal detectors identify more weapons through searches without scanning devices than through scanning — related