Protecting 25,000 Student in Today's World

Emergency Communications

Video surveillance integrated with intrusion and fire alarm systems gives the CUSD police the real-time information they need, providing intelligence that helps keep the officers safe when they respond to a situation.

The Compton Unified School District (CUSD) Police Department, which is using a Dahua Technology surveillance solution, has an admirable commitment to protecting the district’s 25,000 students.

The CUSD police department was created in 1968 due to an increasing need for a police force that understood the unique challenges of an educational environment. Today, their comprehensive security system covers 37 schools and six district office.

CUSD chose a Dahua IP video surveillance system. This is a complete solution for the school system with Wi-Fi cameras, NVRs, three smart switches, and a surveillance management center. Local installer Advanced Alarm Inc. has outfitted the police department complex, warehouses, transportation facilities, various school sites, and administrative offices with surveillance. IP surveillance, of course, comes with the additional benefit of remote access, which is huge. As William Wu, J.D., chief of Police for CUSD explains, “Having a comprehensive safety and protection plan in today’s world means having real-time information on what is happening at various locations over which we are responsible.”

Wu points to the remote access capability of his system as a huge benefit, “For me, or the deputy superintendent, or anyone else who has access to the video surveillance system, we can see it from home, or as we’re driving on patrol. We can pull up video feeds of various sites, so that gives us the capability that a fixed access console system doesn’t have.”

We are always looking for ways to improve on how we perform our mission,” he continues. “It is unfortunate, but in the world that we live in, no matter what your job is at the school, security has to be on your mind somewhere. We don’t have the luxury of forgetting about security.”

www.dahuasecurity.com

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management March 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.