Platte Canyon School District in Colorado has consolidated its campus video surveillance systems onto 3xLOGIC’s VIGIL Video Management System (VMS), bringing approximately 210 to 220 cameras under a single management platform as part of a phased security infrastructure modernization.

Located in the mountains outside Denver, the district serves approximately 685 students from preschool through 12th grade and employs 150 staff members. Its campus includes multiple school buildings with varying security and access requirements.

The district has continued investing in campus security following a school tragedy 20 years ago, with much of its security infrastructure improvement supported by grant funding.

Previously, Platte Canyon operated three separate camera platforms across its buildings. Aging equipment, incompatible operating systems and failed cameras made it difficult for staff to maintain surveillance coverage and retrieve footage. Personnel also had to switch between applications to track activity across the campus.

Working with its security technology provider, the district undertook a phased modernization that began with electronic access control at building entrances and expanded to camera replacements, campus gates and additional outdoor areas.

Centralized video and layered access control

The VIGIL platform now manages approximately 210 to 220 cameras, including bullet, dome and 360-degree models, covering school buildings, entrances, corridors, playgrounds and outdoor spaces.

The centralized system allows authorized personnel to view live feeds and retrieve recorded footage without navigating multiple applications. School Resource Officers (SROs) can monitor cameras through large displays in their offices, while other authorized staff members have access based on their responsibilities.

“Our SROs have one location now that they have displayed, whether it’s on their iPad or on their big screens. They’re not having to try and switch between systems, and it’s much more streamlined for them,” said Kay Genschorck, the district’s director of instructional services.

The video system complements the district’s layered access control measures. Perimeter gates regulate vehicle entry into campus parking areas, requiring visitors to contact school personnel for admission. Visitors must request access again at individual school buildings before proceeding to an office.

The district also uses scheduled access arrangements during student arrivals, class transitions and afternoon pickup. Staff members use badges to enter authorized areas, while designated personnel monitor doors as students move between buildings.

The district also uses sensors to identify potential vaping, elevated noise levels and other activity in bathrooms, where cameras are not used. When an alert is triggered, staff can review video from nearby entrances and exits to determine who was in the surrounding area.

Emergency response and operations

The VIGIL system also provides authorized sheriff’s department and fire department personnel with remote access to relevant cameras, including through mobile devices. This allows responders to view campus conditions before arriving at an incident.

The video capabilities complement Platte Canyon’s separate SchoolSAFE radio communications system, which connects school personnel, dispatch, police and fire services during emergencies.

According to the district, consolidating its surveillance infrastructure has reduced the time its Facilities and IT team spends maintaining aging equipment. SROs can also view footage from different campus locations through one system, simplifying incident reviews and day-to-day monitoring.

“Parents want to feel confident that their children are safe and secure while they’re at school, and it’s our responsibility to provide that peace of mind,” Genschorck said. “By investing in the right technology, we can maintain visibility across our campus, manage who comes and goes, and ensure our staff and emergency responders have the information they need to act quickly if something happens. Ultimately, it’s about creating an environment where students can focus on learning, and teachers can focus on teaching.”