Bad ID Card Concepts - #1

The ID card mug concept did not get very far. Deficiencies included:

• Too heavy to wear around the neck
• Did not fit wallet
• Looked unseemly if placed in a pocket
• Difficult to incorporate other security technologies
  
• Security guards thought the staff was always requesting tips
• Every time Joe "lost" his we found it in the company dishwasher

Teacups, Saucers, and a Lanyard

A woman’s trip to the Magic Kingdom was hardly a walk in the park after she says she was beaten up by a woman in a ‘line rage’ incident.

Aimee Krause says Victoria Walker accused her of cutting into the line at the Mad Tea Cup ride last year at Disney World.

Walker, an Alabama native, could face 15 years behind bars if convicted of battery with a deadly weapon.

“She came from behind just screaming,” Krause told MyFOXOrlando. “Next thing I knew she kicked me in my left leg, threw me to the ground and at that point I was pinned between the teacup and the saucer and she continued to beat up on my body.”

In the incident report, Krause claimed Walker tried to choke her with a lanyard she wore to hold water bottles around her neck. (full story here)

We note: Breakaway lanyards are not a sales pitch!

Going Green with Photo ID

There is a lot of interest in "green" photo ID solutions. But, not all offered environmentally friendly solutions are the same.

Unfortunately vegetable ID cards proved to be of little interest to security professionals. One guard was heard mumbling "Corn is corn" and this proved to be a widely held industry attitude.

Fortunately, our line of lanyards make from 100% recycled PET and our retractable badge reels with plastic housings made from recycled materials are generating a lot of interest and good will. It's an easy way for schools, manufacturers and any corporate user to make a public statement about their concern for the environment.

For additional information, download our EcoLanyard & EcoReel information here.

The Secure School

For more than a few years I have worked with (and in) the public and private school systems in the Southeastern USA, and I have observed the varied security policies adopted by the various administrations. It is amazing how one school system will passionately enforce policy, while another may view policy as more of a guideline, while exhibiting extreme tolerance of rule-breakers. If it were up to me (and it's not) my school would take steps to add the following items and programs to its security policies:

1. A Current Student ID Card, worn by every student every day. This card would have a barcode printed on the surface that enables the student to pay for lunch, check out a library book, and scan against a database for verification of the card's validity.


2. A Custom Printed Lanyard, worn by every student every day. This lanyard would match the color scheme of the school and the aforementioned Student ID Card. Lanyards provide a long-distance means of verification. If you see a kid not wearing a lanyard that matches school colors, chances are they are not a student.


3. An Electronic Visitor Management System in the front office. This system would allow visitors to electronically check in (by scanning a drivers license or typing their name into a touch screen interface) and select the reason they are visiting, the student they are visiting, and the system would email the teacher or employee if they are the visited party.


4. A School Resource Officer (or two) to check Student ID Cards. These Police Officers are a vital part of a safe school environment, when deemed necessary. I have met several that are performing their job to the fullest, and act as a role model for some students.
   
5. A Replacement Fee for Lost ID Cards. This has been shown to be an effective deterrent for students who repeatedly "forget" their cards and come to school without valid ID. A fee of $5 is usually just about right, as it compensates the school system for their supply costs, as well as their time spent when making a replacement card.


6. A Temporary Badge Printing Solution. This is another way of creating a replacement student ID without incurring the expense of the $1-$2 plastic ID Card. This can be as simple as a Dymo Label Printer attached to the Student ID System.


7. Faculty and Staff Who are not Afraid to Care. I have seen school administrators who are loyal and caring employees, but who cut far too many breaks when ID Cards are lost, forgotten, or simply not worn properly by students. If you enforce the rules, they are less often broken.


8. Locked Doors. If a school has 20 doors that remain open, that school is asking for someone to walk right in. All entry points except those that are under the visual control of office staff and faculty should remain locked. If a student or employee exits the side, let them walk around to the front to re-enter. This is common sense stuff. If you can't see the door, lock it 24 hours a day. Free exit should be maintained of course.


9. Faculty and Staff ID Cards, worn every day. This is a no-brainer. If an adult is in a school, we should not have to assume they are supposed to be there. One should only have to take a quick glance at their ID Card and Matching Lanyard.
   
10. CCTV Security Cameras in problem areas. The tapes don't lie, and there's no witness like a DVR. Think of the rising feeling of accountability that would occur if there were a camera looking down the hall at a front entrance to each school. If a DVR is set to only capture motion events, the review times are much more efficient. Video of an event, good or bad, is priceless.






11. Card-Controlled Security Access on sensitive doors. If costly IT equipment or student medication is kept in a locked cabinet in a locked office, that's great. But, there remains the possibility that a key may be copied. Once again, 1 to 1 accountability is the key to maintaining an accurate record of "who went where, when". Electronic Access Control is the perfect solution for this.

This may not be in affect anywhere in the country, in a K-12 environment, but it is most certainly theory that is applied every single day in corporate America. Workers, both executive and hourly, are often required to wear a badge, swipe that card for access to doors, and even log on to a PC using the same credential. Why not apply that to one of the most widespread institutions in our country, the school? We've all been there, and our children will be there too. Let's keep them as safe as possible so they can get on with the real business at hand, quality learning for the future.

Travis Brewington is in sales and marketing support at the Laminex family of companies. He can be reached at (800) 831-2995, Ext. 111 or at TravisB@laminex.com

Elvis Week

So does Elvis need a badge if he shows up for Elvis Week? Does he need a new photo or can he use his 1962 photo? Suspicious minds want to know.

Cost of medical pot ID cards getting higher

Oh, no they did not say that!! Did they?

The Chosen Booth?

I helped a dealer exhibit at a tabletop show this week. Shortly after the show opening the sun peeked through a skylight to light up our booth only. Could it be a sign? Could it mean we are your guys for ID?

Our New Rolling Billboards

They look fast even when parked, don't they? Call the number on the side for quality photo ID & access control solutions.

It's FREE, because you are our favorite!

We just received a new batch of computer mouse pads that are pretty sweet. The web sites of all four of our companies is featured and these are high quality keepers. Want one?? E-mail us at info@credentialexpress.com and one will be on the way. Enjoy.

The Visitor Management ID Systems that ID Shop installed in the public schools in Rock Hill, SC have been featured on the evening news.

The Visitor Management ID Systems that ID Shop installed in the public schools in Rock Hill, SC have been featured on the evening news.


Read the report and view the video here.

When it comes to visitor management in schools, it is important to remember:

• A connection to The National Sex Offenders Database is vital
• Pre-registration for groups and organization is important
• Quick issuance and easy-to-use features are a must

We say again and again, safety and identification in our schools is important for students, faculty, parents, and whole communities.

Rock Hill school district now screening visitors to schools

This ID Shop custom visitor badging system installation for multiple sites makes the local news paper.

The Rock Hill school district has begun screening school visitors to make sure they are not on the National Sex Offender Registry.

Visitors must sign in on a computer and show identification when they enter the building. The computer will then check the person’s name against the sex offender registry. If the visitor’s name appears on the list an administrator will be called to talk to them and inform them they will not be allowed in the school. (more here)

Photo ID cards and visitor management is more important in our schools now more than ever.