ASIS International, the preeminent organization for security management professionals worldwide, is offering public schools in Orange County, Calif., the opportunity to compete for $20,000 as part of ASIS' School Security Funding Competition. The competition coincides with the ASIS' 55th Annual Seminar and Exhibits, the largest event in the world dedicated to security, being held Sept. 21-24 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
ASIS is sponsoring the competition for the sixth consecutive year as a way of giving back to the community where the annual event is held, and simultaneously encouraging local schools to assess the security issues that confront their buildings, staff and students every day.
"We hope this competition will provide the schools' principals and safety officers a chance to become more aware of what can be done to resolve security concerns as a way to improve their educational environments," said ASIS' Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Stack. "We have seen the success of this competition in other cities, and are pleased to offer Orange County schools this opportunity to provoke ideas that will have a lasting impact."
To participate in the competition, the schools are asked to consider--through a series of short essays--their particular security concerns and how those concerns might impact their students, teachers and administrators. They are asked to describe security risks they would attempt to reduce and/or eliminate, and list specific security enhancements they would purchase with the funding. A committee comprised of security management professionals from the ASIS Anaheim Chapter will judge the submissions.
The winning school will receive $20,000 in funding to develop measures to enhance its security, either through the purchase of equipment or ongoing training/education for school personnel and/or students. All submissions must be postmarked by Feb. 27, 2009. The winning school will be announced in March.
The winning school and its principal will be recognized at a special awards luncheon during the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Anaheim.
Last year's winner was Grady High School in Atlanta. Security purchases included a network of interior and exterior surveillance cameras. Previous winners' purchases included a utility vehicle and bicycles, perimeter fencing and communication equipment.
Contact: Vicki Moeser, 703/518-1466, [email protected]
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