Not To Monitor Students or Staff

DIJON, June 18, 2025

Since May 2025, security cameras have been cropping up in the 51 colleges across the saône-et-loire department. The aim is to make establishments safer for students and staff.

Cameras for College Safety

Saône-et-Loire is bolstering security in its colleges with surveillance cameras,aiming to protect students and staff.

• Surveillance cameras are being installed in 51 colleges.
• The initiative aims to enhance safety and prevent incidents.
• Each college has options for camera placement and operation.

What’s happening in saône-et-Loire? The department has been rolling out surveillance cameras in its 51 public colleges since May, with full operation planned for July 11, 2025. This measure follows an incident in Haute-Marne and aims to ensure the safety of students and staff. André Accary, president of the Saône-et-Loire department, stated that this is part of a larger effort, with 13.6 million euros devoted to college safety since 2015.

Did you know?-The 13.6 million euros allocated to college safety since 2015 covers a range of improvements, including not only surveillance systems but also enhanced lighting, secure access points, and updated emergency protocols.

The commissioning is planned in mid-July.
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Each institution has three choices for camera placement:

Camera Placement Options

• Cameras in outdoor areas and on the outskirts, operating outside of school hours (chosen by five colleges).
• Cameras in outdoor spaces,outskirts,corridors,and stairwells (chosen by 31 colleges).
• Cameras in outdoor spaces, outskirts, corridors, and stairwells, operating permanently (chosen by 12 colleges).

reader question:-Given the different camera placement options,how do you think schools shoudl balance security needs with student privacy concerns? What factors should be considered when making these decisions?

the Louis Aragon college in Châtenoy the Royal has opted for the intermediate approach. With 22 cameras installed, the system will record from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Principal Sylvain Dumas emphasizes that the system is not intended for student or staff surveillance, but rather to deter and address intrusions.

We necessarily reassure us a little bit when we certainly know there are cameras.

Clara

Clara, a student at Louis Aragon College, views the cameras as a “good initiative.” She believes they help secure the college and prevent damage, noting that the presence of cameras provides reassurance, even if there isn’t a strong sense of insecurity.

The commissioning is planned in mid-July.
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Some parents woudl prefer video surveillance to operate continuously, believing it might very well be beneficial year-round, given the potential for incidents and the need for adult intervention.

Privacy Concerns and Security Protocols

As surveillance cameras are installed in colleges across Saône-et-Loire, the question of student privacy looms large. Balancing the need for a safe learning habitat with the right to privacy is paramount. Schools are navigating this complex issue to ensure security measures don’t unduly infringe on students’ personal lives.

The choices made by the colleges in Saône-et-Loire reflect a spectrum of approaches. While some opt for limited operation hours, others provide continuous monitoring. This shows the diversity of concerns and priorities across different institutions. The department’s commitment to safety,along with the varied camera placement options,highlight the nuanced approach to balancing security with privacy.

Expert Insight:-Experts in education and data privacy suggest establishing clear guidelines. These guidelines should cover data access, usage, and retention. Moreover, ensuring clarity with students, parents, and staff fosters trust.

Principal Dumas’s emphasis on the cameras’ role in deterring intrusions illustrates one viewpoint. But the implementation of video surveillance necessitates a broader, more holistic strategy to protect students’ rights. Establishing and communicating explicit privacy policies is key. These policies must outline how collected data is handled. They should also detail who has access to the footage and under what circumstances.

How do schools balance safety and privacy? Schools balance safety and privacy by implementing clear policies on surveillance use.These policies cover data access, and retention, ensuring transparency with students, parents, and staff.

What are the potential benefits of surveillance cameras in colleges? Surveillance cameras can deter crime, provide evidence in investigations, and offer a sense of security. They can also help manage incidents and reduce vandalism.

Best Practices for Camera implementation

• Develop Clear Policies: Outline data access, usage, and retention rules. Communicate these policies clearly to all stakeholders.
• Limit Access: Restrict access to surveillance footage to authorized personnel only. Implement multi-factor authentication.
• Ensure Transparency: Inform students,parents,and staff about camera locations and their purpose. Post clear signage indicating surveillance.
• Regular Audits: Conduct periodic audits of camera footage. Review associated data logs to ensure compliance with privacy policies.
• Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative security measures. These might potentially be enhanced lighting, access control, and increased staff presence. Use these in conjunction with camera systems.

The varying approaches to deployment in Saône-et-Loire illustrate a commitment to ongoing evaluation. The focus should be on ensuring the surveillance measures align with the evolving needs of the college community. The proactive and transparent deployment of security cameras, coupled with a commitment to student privacy, can contribute to a safer learning environment

Are surveillance cameras always active? No, some colleges, like the Louis Aragon College, are only recording during off-peak hours. Other colleges have chose to have 24/7 surveillance.

looking ahead, Saône-et-Loire’s experience offers valuable lessons for other regions.The success of this safety initiative hinges on creating the right balance. The goal is to protect students and staff while upholding everyone’s fundamental right to privacy. The approach should be one of constant reassessment and adaptation with the best interests of the community at heart.