Centennial Security Cameras Open To 3 Police Departments

WARMINSTER, PA —Three police departments will now have access to Centennial School District security cameras in case of an emergency.

The Centennial School Board Tuesday night unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with police departments in Warminster, Ivyland, and Upper Southampton Township.

The three police departments will now have access to the video surveillance cameras located in the district’s schools in the event of an emergency.

The memorandum states that the police departments can review footage on school property, at any sponsored event, or on a school bus during the school day or for a school-sponsored activity.

The memorandum does not cover incidents that are outside of school settings nor shall there be any "substantial disruption" to the learning environment.

The agreement helps the school district and police departments to foster a stronger relationship to maintain a safer school environment.

The school district has taken measures this year to bolster safety and security at district schools, including the hiring of a former police chief to become the district's security supervisor.

The school board, in a 9-0 unanimous vote in late April, approved the hiring of John Ward, who served as police chief for the Stroud Area Regional Police, Ridgewood Police Department.

The district said its priorities with the memorandum is to:

• Help police prevent delinquent acts through preventative measures.
• Create a safe learning environment.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with law enforcement.
• Provide police with all relevant information and required assistance in the wake of an incident.
• Give police the district's behavioral support services procedures and invite law enforcement to behavior support training.