With the school shooting tragedy in Newton still on everybody’s mind and while lawmakers are debating gun control, school administrators are looking for ways to increase protection for students and teachers during school hours. Parents and residents are demanding improved security and better ways to lock down schools, many towns and cities across the nation are scrambling to find a solution.

Electronic locks are one way to add security to a school building. Lock manufacturers have developed electronic locks that can achieve fast results in a lockdown situation. Wireless electronic locks can be added to an existing building that provide the same enhanced security as hard-wired locks that are used in new construction. Both types of locks can be managed through the computer network and, in emergency situations, provide fast lockdown. One lock manufacturer states that “10 seconds is the longest it will take to initiate lockdown” when using one of their wireless lock models.

Controlling access using a wireless lock also provides other benefits to schools, such as the ability to control or restrict entry to individuals during certain hours and provide an audit trail of who entered the building.

The Enfield Board of Education voted to place an armed guard in every Enfield school starting in September. Do you feel that this will deter shool shootings?

Have a question about how wireless locks can be used for Connecticut schools? Email Jim Arsenault or call him at 860-678-9797.


Students at Quinnipiac University use smart cards to open doors, check out library books, and buy food at the cafeteria.