LEVEL 1 A: EXTERIOR | WALK-THROUGH ASSESSMENTS℠ (WTA)

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A. Campus Exterior Safety Review℠

Answer each question based on your school's current status. Your responses generate a confidential baseline safety report scored across 19 Safety Zones℠. There are no right or wrong answers — only an honest baseline.

Fencing + Walls
Playground + Recreational Areas
Fields (General)
Gates
Lighting
Building + Grounds
Stadium
Landscaping
Signage and Entrances
Doors
Windows
Walkways
Roofs, Ledges, and Other Access Points
Parking Areas
Student Drop-Off/Loading Areas
Bus Zone
Traffic Design
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
Surrounding Area and Neighborhood

1. Fencing + Walls

1. Are all school buildings fully enclosed with secure, well-maintained fencing? *

2. Do fences surround the entire campus? *

3. Is fencing free of holes and sharp protrusions? *

4. Do perimeter fences, walls, or "hostile vegetation" provide sufficient access control, surveillance, and territoriality? *

5. Are all outer courtyard walls non-climbable? *

6. Do exterior walls prevent any niches or blind spots from providing places to hide? *

7. Are building niches and recesses fenced off, well-lit, or observable from inside the building? *

8. Do walls prevent footholds, and are the top 3 to 4 feet nearest to the roof non-climbable? *

ZONE 1. Fencing + Walls: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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2. Playground + Recreational Areas

1. Are recreational areas fenced to restrict unauthorized access? *

2. Are low-hanging tree branches removed from the playground area? *

3. Are playground attendants clearly designated (e.g., vests) during recess hours? *

4. Are first aid kits on hand during recess hours? *

5. Are two-way radios available, accessible, and identifiable where large playgrounds are an issue? *

6. Does the landscape around the playground and outdoor recreation areas minimize the potential for injury/hiding? *

7. Is vehicular access, except emergency vehicles, restricted around the playground area? *

ZONE 2. Playground + Recreational Areas: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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3. Fields [General]

1. Can athletic equipment stored in the stadium be secured against theft? *

2. Does the landscape around the field areas minimize the potential for hiding? *

3. Are field events suitably roped off to separate the spectators from any landing or impact areas, allowing for an adequate safety zone in the event of a misdirected throw? *

4. Can athletic equipment stored in the track and field areas be secured against theft? *

ZONE 3. Fields (General): Add COMMENTS (optional)

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4. Gates

1. Is the school equipped with perimeter barriers capable of stopping vehicles? *

2. Are the appropriate perimeter barriers or gates installed and secured by effective locking systems (e.g., electronic control, heavy-duty padlocks) when not in use? *

3. Are perimeter barriers clear to enable continuous monitoring and to inhibit concealment of people or packages? *

4. Is the perimeter of the site secured to a level that prevents unauthorized vehicles or pedestrians from entering, and does this occur as far from the school building as possible? *

5. Are gates free of holes, intact, and functional? *

ZONE 4. Gates: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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5. Lighting

1. Is exterior lighting uniform and does it eliminate pockets of shadow or glare at night? *

2. Is exterior lighting well-maintained? *

3. Is the exterior lighting scheme effective for enhancing natural surveillance, discouraging trespassing, and preventing school vandalism, graffiti, and damage? *

4. Can exterior lighting controls be centrally accessed from the main administration area? *

5. Does school lighting avoid excessive illumination of adjacent neighborhoods? *

6. Are school grounds, including parking lots, adequately lit? *

7. Are high crime areas lit? *

8. Is there lighting that surrounds the perimeter of the building? *

9. Is there lighting at all building entrances? *

10. Are all lights mounted to 12-14 feet in height? *

11. Do lights have break-resistant glass and are they vandal-resistant? *

12. Are light lenses cleaned at least annually? *

13. Are all walkways adequately lit to ensure visual surveillance? *

14. Are stadium lights inspected for structural integrity and serviced as scheduled? *

15. Are light fixtures in the stadium protected by shatter guards and designed for "appropriate" climate environments? *

16. Are lights checked monthly for inoperative fixtures/burned-out bulbs and repaired? *

17. Are lighting fixtures designed to avoid providing handholds for climbing onto the building? *

ZONE 5. Lighting: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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6. Building + Grounds

1. Are clear zones adjacent to buildings free of vegetation and other obstructions? *

2. Do all site utilities prevent hiding places? *

3. Do site utilities avoid preventing access by emergency vehicles? *

4. Are electrical panel access doors locked? *

5. Is the exterior mechanical equipment designed to prevent climbing and equipped with protection against objects being thrown at it? *

6. Is exterior mechanical equipment reachable by vehicles protected with bollards or other devices? *

7. Are trash and recycling dumpsters either enclosed in a designated area or surrounded on three sides by a high wall (preferably see-through), a climbing-resistant fence, and a securable gate? *

8. Are all school grounds visually separated from adjacent properties? *

9. Are entries into courtyards from the exterior of the school controlled and lockable? *

10. Are lines of sight across the courtyards unobstructed, so one person can supervise the entire area? *

11. Are courtyards configured to eliminate unauthorized after-hours access? *

12. Are courtyard entry doors wide enough to prevent congestion? *

13. Are all necessary exterior utility lifelines (power, voice, data, Internet communications, fuel, and water) adequately protected, preferably by concealing, burying, or encasing? *

14. Are emergency telephones or call boxes available, accessible, and identifiable? *

15. Are stormwater retention areas located to help limit access to school property, demarcate school boundaries, or segregate plat and pedestrian areas from heavy vehicular traffic? *

16. Does fencing around enclosed stormwater retention areas prevent footholds for climbing and prevent interference with natural surveillance of these areas or other parts of the site? *

17. Are stormwater pipes over 15 inches in diameter, leading to or from stormwater retention areas, protected with appropriate grating or metal rebar to prevent access into the retention area or school site? *

18. Is vandalism, graffiti, and damage promptly documented and removed or repaired within 24 hours after discovery? *

19. Are school grounds kept free of trash and debris? *

20. Are outdoor fire detection and response systems protected against vandalism, graffiti, damage, corrosion, and the elements? *

ZONE 6. Building + Grounds: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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7. Stadium

1. Is there a secure perimeter controlling access points effectively around the stadium, with surveillance cameras installed and operational at all key points, and are all entry and exit points monitored by trained security personnel during events? *

2. Is there a stadium-specific emergency action plan, with emergency exits clearly marked, well-lit, and free from obstructions, and are staff and security personnel trained in emergency response procedures, including evacuation, first aid, and communication with local law enforcement and emergency services? *

3. Are protocols in place for managing large crowds, including entry, seating, and exit strategies, with a designated area for gathering in case of evacuation or other emergencies, and are crowd control measures implemented to prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth egress? *

4. Are regular inspections conducted to ensure the structural integrity of the stadium, including seating areas, barriers, and lighting, with a routine maintenance schedule for the stadium's electrical systems, plumbing, and other critical infrastructure, and are fire safety systems regularly tested and maintained? *

5. Are first aid stations available and easily accessible throughout the stadium, with clear signage guiding individuals to emergency exits, first aid stations, and help desks, and are protocols in place for handling medical emergencies, including rapid response and coordination with medical personnel? *

6. Is there an effective public address system for making announcements during emergencies, with established communication channels for coordinating with external emergency services, and a system for notifying attendees of emergencies and providing instructions? *

ZONE 7. Stadium: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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1. Is the landscape (bushes, trees, hills) surrounding the school tidy, trimmed, and structured to enhance visibility (e.g., of windows and doors) while minimizing the chance of suspicious visitors hiding? *

2. Are planters, garbage cans, seating, tables, or other amenities on site well-maintained, designed for easy maintenance, free of vandalism, graffiti, and damage, and vandal-resistant? *

3. Do planters, garbage cans, seating, tables, or other amenities enhance sidewalk space by facilitating smooth flow without causing obstructions or congestion for passers-by? *

4. Are design features implemented to make planters, garbage cans, seating, tables, and other amenities resistant to misuse by skateboarders? *

5. Does the landscape minimize the potential for injury or hiding spots? *

6. Are all shrubs trimmed to a maximum height of 3 feet? *

7. Are all trees trimmed up to 8 feet to the lowest branch? *

8. Are all trees at least 10 feet from any buildings? *

9. Has dense shrubbery that may act as protection for covert activity been removed? *

10. Are outside seating, planters, and landscaping features far enough from courtyard enclosures to eliminate climbing opportunities? *

ZONE 8. Landscaping: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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9. Signage and Entrances

1. Is the entrance well lit? *

2. Is there one clearly marked as the designated entrance for visitors? *

3. Do signs posted at the entrance list items not allowed inside the school (e.g., drug-free, weapon- free, and smoke-free)? *

4. Are "Drug-Free School Zone" signs posted? *

5. Are "Gang-Free School Zone" signs posted? *

6. Do signs include multiple languages and symbols? *

7. Where appropriate, do entry signs warn in a friendly but firm way about trespassing and illicit behavior and cite applicable laws and regulations? *

8. Are there accommodations for individuals with disabilities, or do signs point to an accessible entrance? *

9. Is the main ingress and egress clear and unobstructed? *

10. Are signs posted around school property that clearly state trespassing and surveillance policies? *

11. Are exterior doors marked for first responders? *

ZONE 9. Signage and Entrances: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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10. Doors

1. Is the number of exterior doors minimized? *

2. Are all exit doors and gates equipped with emergency exit hardware, and not locked or secured by any other means? *

3. Are all exterior doors designated to prevent unauthorized access into the building? *

4. Do exterior doors have as little exposed hardware as possible? *

5. Are exterior doors equipped with hinges with nonremovable pins? *

6. Are exterior exit-only doors without handles and locks protruding on the outside? *

7. Are exterior doors constructed of steel, aluminum alloy, or solid-core hardwood? *

8. Are exterior door frames installed without excess flexibility to deter vandals from prying them open? *

9. Are exterior door locks used as the primary means of security mounted flush to the surface of the door? *

10. Do exterior doors not rely on key-in-knob or other protruding locking devices? *

11. Do exterior swinging doors have a minimum 1-inch deadbolt lock, with a 1-inch throw belt and hardened steel inset, a free-turning brass or steel-tapered guard, and, if glass is located within 40 inches of the locking mechanism, double-cylinder locks? *

12. Are panic-bar latches on exterior doors protected by pick plates to prevent tools and plastic cards from releasing the bolt? *

13. Are exterior doors with panic push-bars equipped with tamper-proof deadbolt locks to prevent easy exit after school hours by criminals or vandals? *

14. Are exterior doors with panic push-bars equipped with an astragal or metal plate covering the gap between the doors? *

15. Are armored strike plates on exterior doors securely fastened to the door frame so that they are in direct alignment to receive the latch easily? *

16. Are key-controlled exterior doors equipped with contacts so they can be tied into a central monitoring and control system? *

17. Are exterior double doors equipped with heavy-duty, multiple-point, long flush bolts? *

18. Are doors that are vulnerable to unauthorized use, when students open them from inside the building, made more secure by installing door alarms, delayed-opening devices, or sensors or cameras monitoring doors from the central office? *

19. Are exterior doors sized and arranged to reduce congestion and avoid crowding? *

20. Do exterior doors have narrow windows, sidelights, fish-eye viewers, or cameras to permit seeing who is on the exterior side? *

21. Are windows and sidelights sized and located so that if they are broken, vandals cannot reach through and open a door from the inside? *

22. Are exterior doors airtight? *

23. Are doors intact, functional, and free of excessive scratches or wear marks? *

ZONE 10. Doors: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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11. Windows

1. Are windows used to enhance natural surveillance of courtyards, school grounds, and parking lots, especially from classrooms and administration areas? *

2. Do all windows lock securely? *

3. Do sliding windows have lift-and-slide protection? *

4. Are window hardware and frames in good condition, and are transom windows or other window configurations that have clear security weaknesses either permanently closed (provided they are not used as a means of emergency egress) or reinforced with slide bolts or other security devices? *

5. Are windows located strategically, providing natural light and natural surveillance, while providing sufficient stand-off distance and the means to deter vandalism, graffiti, damage, and forced entry? *

6. Are windows designed to serve as a secondary means of escape, readily operable, not blocked by screens, security grills, louvers, awnings, or other devices, and are they readily opened from the inside? *

7. Are second-floor windows inaccessible or protected against entry? *

8. Are basement windows protected from unauthorized entry by security grills or window well covers? *

9. Does tempered and wired glass meet the building code and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's requirements when used in doors, sidelights, locations near the floor, and other "hazardous" locations? *

10. Are windows and their framing and anchoring systems designed and located to resist the effects of explosive blasts, gunfire, and forced entry? *

11. Are all windows intact? *

12. Do windows in occupied areas of the building overlook walkways for natural surveillance? *

13. Are windows and sidelights sized and located so that if they are broken, vandals cannot reach through and open a door from the inside? *

14. Are all locks, lights, and windows properly protected against breakage? *

ZONE 11. Windows: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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12. Walkways

1. Are walkways and their surroundings adequately lit to promote visual surveillance while in use? *

2. Do windows in occupied areas of the building overlook walkways for natural surveillance? *

3. Are ladders secured to prevent access to walkway covers? *

4. Do covered walkways prevent climbing access to adjoining windows, roofs, or other upper-level areas? *

ZONE 12. Walkways: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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13. Roofs, Ledges, Other Access

1. Do adjoining posts, structures, walls, planters, or other building features prevent climbing access to adjoining windows, roofs, or other upper-level areas? *

2. Are ladders secured to prevent access to awnings and/or ledges? *

3. Is built-in roof access from inside the building only? *

4. Is the roof access point locked and located inside a secure room? *

5. Are mechanical equipment enclosures on the roof protected from unauthorized access, vandalism, graffiti, or damage? *

6. Is access into the school through skylights blocked by security grills or other devices? *

7. Are roof parapets low enough to allow visual surveillance of the roof from the ground? *

8. Is the roof in good repair? *

9. Are the gutter systems free of debris? *

10. Are ladders and trash/recycling dumpsters secured to prevent access to lower roofs? *

ZONE 13. Roofs, Ledges, and Other Access Points: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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14. Parking Areas

1. Does the school designate areas for staff use of parking lots, and do signs direct staff to their designated parking area? *

2. Does the parking system incorporate an identification system (e.g., placards in windshields)? *

3. Are staff on duty in the morning and afternoon to monitor the lots? *

4. Are access points for staff parking, student, and visitor parking lots gated? *

5. Are parking lots bordered by a wall, chain-link fence, or some physical barrier? *

6. Can parking lots be viewed from the building or monitored by security? *

7. Are surveillance cameras used to monitor parking lots, and does the camera system allow for recording? *

8. Are parking lots designed to control vehicle speed by using speed bumps, raised walkways, curved drives, and curb stops? *

9. Are assigned parking spaces specified by number instead of name or position? *

10. Are all areas accessible to patrol vehicles, and is the parking area patrolled by security personnel during sporting events? *

11. Is there an adequate number of parking spaces for staff? *

12. Are manholes, utility tunnels, culverts, and similar unintended access points to the school property secured with locks, gates, or other appropriate devices, without creating additional entrapment hazards? *

13. Are all parking areas adequately lit? *

14. Is handicapped parking located near the entrance via an accessible path or sidewalk to an accessible entrance? *

15. Are panic buttons or intercom call boxes located in all parking areas? *

16. Are there clear sight lines that are maximized for natural surveillance and safety? *

17. Does the school designate areas for visitor use of parking lots, and do signs direct visitors to their designated parking area? *

18. Are staff on duty in the morning and afternoon to monitor lots? *

19. Is visitor parking close to the main entrance? *

20. Are fire lanes marked with approved fire lane signs, yellow curbing, and clear of any obstruction? *

21. Is the visitor parking area adequately lit? *

22. Are access points for staff parking lots locked during the school day? *

23. Does the school designate areas for student use of parking lots, and do signs direct students to their designated parking area? *

24. Is student access to parking areas restricted to time of arrival and time of dismissal? *

25. Is there a designated parking area for students arriving and leaving at atypical times, who attend part-time, or who spend part of the day off-site? *

or utilities control

26. Are assigned parking spaces specified by number instead of name or class? *

ZONE 14. Parking Areas: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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15. Student Drop-Off/Loading Areas

1. Do security personnel check for unauthorized vehicles in parking lots or on school grounds throughout the day? *

2. Are student drop-off areas away from other high-traffic areas? *

3. Are staff assigned to all areas during drop-off and pick-up of students? *

4. Are drop-off/pick-up zones visible from the main office or other location? *

5. Are the sheltered areas large enough to avoid conflict over limited space and located in a position that allows for natural surveillance from the main office? *

ZONE 15. Student Drop-Off/Loading Areas: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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16. Bus Zone

1. Are policies in place that restrict and/or limit access to bus-loading zones? *

2. Is the bus-loading zone visible from the main office or monitored by staff? *

3. Are unattended buses prohibited from creating a visual obstacle or hindering emergency access? *

4. Are school buses and other transportation vehicles secured when not in use? *

5. Are school buses visually inspected by transportation personnel prior to use? *

6. Are staff assigned to monitor bus areas? *

7. Is there two-way radio communication between the front office and transportation staff? *

ZONE 16. Bus Zones: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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17. Traffic Design

1. Is there space outside the protected school perimeter for cars to pull over and be inspected?

2. Does emergency vehicle access around the building meet local requirements? *

3. Are vehicle circulation routes to service and delivery areas, visitors' entry, bus drop-off, student parking, and staff parking separated as needed, and do they function safely in the context of the site? *

4. Are designated entries, routes, and parking lots for after-hours use clearly identified and controlled within the context of the site? *

5. Do site entries provide for the ready passage of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles? *

6. Do parking lot signs direct staff, students, and visitors to designated parking areas? *

ZONE 17. Traffic Design: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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18. Pedestrian + Bicycle Safety

1. Are hiding places minimized or eliminated along pedestrian routes? *

2. Are bicycle routes located to maximize surveillance from inside the school? *

3. In schools where students use public transportation, is the route from the school to the point of public transportation access reasonably safe due to good natural surveillance, traffic safety features, and other measures? *

4. Can bicycle parking be viewed from the building or monitored by security? *

ZONE 18. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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19. Surrounding Area and Neighborhood

1. Is the overall school neighborhood considered a safe environment? *

2. Have any businesses in the area that potentially pose a hazard to or block the school's evacuation route been successfully addressed? *

3. Have all hidden areas adjacent to the school that might provide intruders or students with "cover" for illicit activities been secured? *

4. Is natural surveillance from the neighborhood maintained, allowing neighbors and passing patrol cars to help serve as guardians of the school? *

5. Has a neighborhood watch or partnership been established? *

6. Are there unconventional uses of technology, such as drones or AI-powered surveillance, that enhance exterior safety? *

7. Does the school collaborate with local authorities, urban planners, architects, or other experts in designing and maintaining the exterior? *

8. Is there visibility and presence of law enforcement in the neighborhood? *

9. Does urban planning and infrastructure of any surrounding area support the school's accessibility and security? *

ZONE 19. Surrounding Area and Neighborhood: Add COMMENTS (optional)

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LEVEL 1 A: EXTERIOR | WALK-THROUGH ASSESSMENTS℠ (WTA)

A. Campus Exterior Safety Review℠

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fencing + Walls

Playground + Recreational Areas

Fields (General)

Gates

Lighting

Building + Grounds

Stadium

Landscaping

Signage and Entrances

Doors

Windows

Walkways

Roofs, Ledges, and Other Access Points

Parking Areas

Student Drop-Off/Loading Areas

Bus Zone

Traffic Design

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Surrounding Area and Neighborhood

1. Fencing + Walls

2. Playground + Recreational Areas

3. Fields [General]

4. Gates

5. Lighting

6. Building + Grounds

7. Stadium

9. Signage and Entrances

10. Doors

11. Windows

12. Walkways

13. Roofs, Ledges, Other Access

14. Parking Areas

15. Student Drop-Off/Loading Areas

16. Bus Zone

17. Traffic Design

18. Pedestrian + Bicycle Safety

19. Surrounding Area and Neighborhood

How Safe is Your School Really?