Addressing Blind Spots on Campus: Surveillance & Lighting

Summer is one of the best opportunities schools have to reduce campus security gaps. With fewer people on site and more flexibility to schedule vendors, campus surveillance and lighting can be inspected and improved to correct blind spots before back-to-school traffic increases.

Why Blind Spots Matter

Blind spots can lead to:

• Incidents that are harder to deter, observe, or investigate

• Delayed response when activity goes unnoticed

• Increased theft, vandalism, and property damage risk

• Reduced confidence in access controls and safety procedures

A strong approach combines camera coverage, lighting, and clear operational practices (who checks footage, who replaces burned out bulbs, and how issues are reported).

Walk the Campus at the Right Times

To find blind spots, walk the campus:

• Early morning (before staff arrive)

• After hours (evening)

• During low visibility (dusk or dark)

Look for shadows, glare, blocked sightlines, and areas where someone could loiter without being seen.

Priority areas to check:

• Parking lots and drop-off loops

• Building entrances and door areas

• Hallways and stairwells (where applicable)

• Portable buildings and rear access points

• Athletic fields, bleachers, and concession areas

• Bus lanes, loading areas, and transportation lots

• Storage areas, dumpsters, mechanical rooms, and fenced yards

Confirm Camera Usability (Not Just “Presence”)

During summer testing, confirm:

• Video quality supports identifying activity (not just motion)

• Angles capture faces and entry points

• Views aren’t blocked by trees, banners, or overhangs

• Time/date stamps are correct

• Recording retention meets expectations

• Staff know who to contact for footage and troubleshooting

Landscaping changes can create new obstructions—re-check after trimming or growth.

Improve Lighting at Entrances, Walkways, and “Edges”

Lighting is a simple, high-impact deterrent. Focus on:

• Entrances, vestibules, and door approaches

• Walkways between buildings

• Side and rear perimeters

• Parking lots and staff/student routes

Consider:

• Replacing burned-out bulbs quickly and tracking repeats

• Adding motion-activated lighting in low-traffic areas

• Adjusting fixtures to reduce glare and improve coverage

• Scheduling lighting checks weekly during summer

Watch for “False Confidence” Gaps

Schools sometimes assume coverage exists because the equipment is installed. Common gaps include:

• Cameras pointed too high or too far from entry points

• Poor lighting causing unusable night footage

• Limited recording retention (footage overwritten too quickly)

• Systems offline during summer schedules or maintenance

• No clear process for reporting or fixing camera outages

Coordinate Access Control, Surveillance, and Summer Facility Use

Summer often includes contractors, camps, leagues, community use, and reduced staffing. Confirm:

• Which doors are unlocked and when

• After-hours access procedures

• Key and badge control

• “Authorized use only” signage and gate locking practices

Create a Simple Work Order and Documentation Process

Small issues get missed when no one “owns” them. Consider:

• A single email or ticket method to report camera/lighting problems

• A maintenance log for bulb replacements and camera repairs

• Documentation of changes made and dates completed

This also helps establish consistency if an incident occurs later.

Summer is the ideal time to identify and correct campus blind spots. A focused walk-through, camera function checks, lighting improvements, and a simple reporting process can reduce vandalism risk and improve incident response before the school year begins.

For additional risk management resources, contact us today.