Saint Mary's County schools outline security upgrades: vestibules, camera livestreaming and SRO coordination

Charles Bridal, the district’s director of safety and security, presented an overview of measures the school system has implemented and expanded over recent years.

"All of our schools are set up the same way with our security vestibule system," Bridal said, describing visitor screening and Raptor background checks tied to offender‑registry checks. He said employees use electronic access control and that the district installed a door‑monitoring system that alerts front‑desk staff to unsecured exterior doors.

Bridal reported the district now has 702 cameras (more than 1,100 lenses), a new camera software system and MVIEW capability that can livestream camera feeds in an emergency to local, state and federal partners. He said 22 schools have upgraded public address systems that include audible and digital displays to convey instructions during emergencies, and each school office has a public‑safety radio that connects directly to 911 dispatch.

The district continues to staff school resource officers at middle and high schools and runs an "adopt a school" volunteer program for elementary schools. Bridal noted an SRO sergeant is assigned to central administration to coordinate daily communications with law enforcement partners.

Commissioners asked about specific durability and replacement schedules for security laminates and about screening logistics when students move between relocatable classrooms and main buildings; Bridal said doors are set to bell schedules and staff monitor key entry points. Officials also discussed metal‑detection pilots elsewhere and noted challenges of screening large numbers of high‑school students at a single entry point.