OSG FIELD GUIDE
05 MAY 2026
Schools Tighten Security
Subject-Measures Vary Widely Across the U.S.
In the aftermath of high-profile school shootings, including the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, U.S. public K-12 schools have significantly expanded security measures. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) and analysis by the Pew Research Center show that foundational protocols are now nearly universal—yet meaningful gaps and disparities remain based on school type, location, size, and student demographics.
1- Widespread Adoption of Core Measures
Nearly all public schools now implement basic access controls and preparedness steps:
97% control access to school buildings during school hours (locked or monitored doors).
97–98% require visitors to sign or check in and wear badges.
98% conduct lockdown drills.
96% maintain written emergency plans for active shooter scenarios (up from 79% in 2003–04).
Approximately 91–93% use security cameras.
83% equip staff with two-way radios.
Roughly 70% have electronic notification systems for schoolwide emergencies.
Classroom doors that lock from the inside are present in about 73–76% of schools. Charter schools tend to outperform traditional public schools on this measure (around 80–83% vs. 72–76%). Schools serving higher proportions of students from lower-income households are somewhat less likely to have interior locking doors.
2- Persistent Disparities
Adoption is uneven:
High schools and middle schools are more likely than elementary schools to use security cameras, anonymous threat-reporting systems, and certain surveillance tools.
Panic buttons or silent alarms linked directly to law enforcement appear in only about 40% of schools overall, with lower rates in the West compared with the Northeast, Midwest, and South.
About 61–65% of schools report security personnel (including School Resource Officers or other staff) present at least weekly. Larger schools and those with higher enrollment are more likely to have on-site security. Schools with higher percentages of racial or ethnic minority students are less likely to have armed officers in some datasets.
Threat assessment teams are more common in urban and suburban schools than in rural ones.
These variations reflect differences in resources, local priorities, regional policies, and campus design. Rural schools, smaller schools, and those serving higher-need populations often face greater constraints.
3- Technology and Staffing Trends
Technology has become a major component of school security. Cameras, radios, electronic alerts, and anonymous reporting systems have grown substantially over the past decade. At the same time, the presence of dedicated security staff remains far from universal, and many schools continue to report challenges with staffing levels and funding for comprehensive programs.
4- Implications for School Safety
Whether protecting principals in non-permissive environments, managing corporate programs, securing schools and campuses, or supporting public events, the fundamentals remain consistent:
Maintain strict adherence to standard operating procedures developed from hard-earned lessons.
Ensure 360-degree coverage and clear communication of any changes in disposition.
Prioritize detection of pre-attack behaviors over pure reaction.
Train personnel to recognize indicators and to act decisively in the critical seconds after an initial threat materializes.
Avoid complacency. Even in low-gun-violence environments, determined actors adapt.
At O’Neil Security Group (OSG), these principles guide our approach. Our personnel draw from military, Diplomatic Security Service, and law enforcement experience. We emphasize proactive intelligence, rigorous protective protocols, and continuous training so that clients are not left relying on reaction alone.
The assassination of Shinzo Abe is a reminder that security is never static. Vigilance, professional standards, and the disciplined application of proven indicators remain essential to safeguarding lives and operations.
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Pew Research Center – “U.S. school security procedures have become more widespread in recent years but are still unevenly adopted” (July 27, 2022), analysis by Katherine Schaefer (and related Pew short-reads on school security measures). Primary source for the original OSG summary.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) – School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) data for 2019–20 and 2021–22; Fast Facts on school safety and security measures; Digest of Education Statistics tables on security practices.
NCES reports: Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools: Findings From the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2021–22 and related Condition of Education indicators.
Supporting context from National Academies / NCBI reviews of school active shooter drills and security measure landscapes, and CISA K-12 School Security guidance emphasizing layered, context-specific approaches.
By Josiah O’Neil
Founder and CEO, O’Neil Security Group
Josiah O’Neil is a seasoned security professional with experience as a private contractor, Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service, California law enforcement officer, and military service member. He leads OSG, an all-source security solutions provider focused on proactive protection and intelligence-driven operations.