Wren Survey Reveals Northeast K-12 Schools Have High Confidence in Their Ability...

Wren Survey Reveals Northeast K-12 Schools Have High Confidence in Their
Ability to Deal with Security Threats

Extensive, Strategic Use of Video Reported in Northeast Schools

ATLANTA, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Wren, a provider of enterprise-class video
surveillance solutions, today announced the results of the Northeast School
Security Survey, the fourth in its School Security Research Series. The
survey polled administrators and school resource officers in K-12 schools in
nine Northeast states on issues from emergency preparedness to their ability
to combat campus threats.

When compared to the results of the company's prior regional surveys,
particularly in the Midwest and Texas, the Northeast School Security Survey
revealed schools in this region have greater confidence in their ability to
deal with security threats. Of schools responding, 69 percent reported
currently using video, with 79 percent of those schools using video to monitor
entrances and exits to support access control. Another 59 percent of schools
with video reported using it to prevent student misconduct by letting students
know they are being monitored. This proactive use of video technology is a
likely factor in their increased confidence and ability to deal with security
breaches.

The survey revealed the following:

-- Video is a critical tool in securing schools in the Northeast - Eighty
percent of respondents indicated that if they could select just one
tool
to help improve security on campus, they would invest in video
surveillance over intrusion alarms, metal detectors and identity
badges.

-- Northeast schools feel more prepared than others to deal with security
threats - Whereas only 15 percent of respondents from the Midwest felt
extremely confident in their ability to deal with security threats, 26
percent of respondents in the Northeast felt extremely confident in
their ability to deal with a student abduction; 31 percent felt they
were extremely prepared to deal with an armed intruder on campus; and
61
percent felt extremely prepared to deal with a student physically
attacking a teacher.

-- Northeast schools face critical security concerns - Schools in the
Northeast are dealing with more security threats than their
counterparts
in the Midwest and Texas. Nineteen percent of respondents in the
Northeast reported experiencing gang activity in the last 12 months,
compared with only 1 percent in the Midwest and 4 percent in Texas.
Eight percent reported cult or extremist activities, which were not
reported in either the Midwest or Texas surveys. The Northeast
respondents also reported higher rates of violence, theft and student
bullying.

-- Critical areas of concern - The security concerns reported as most
critical by respondents were unauthorized people entering the school
(49
percent); compliance with fire and security regulations (40 percent);
and student bullying (51 percent).

-- Budgets are tight, but pressure is high - When asked how they would
fund
equipment purchases, 35 percent of respondents indicated that no funds
are available.

"The disparity between the Northeast survey and the Midwest and Texas surveys
may be due to the fact that schools in the population-dense Northeast are
dealing with a greater variety and type of security breaches on a regular
basis and therefore they are better prepared," said Andrew Wren, president of
Wren. "The survey also found that Northeast schools are using video more
frequently and strategically, which is likely a contributing factor to their
higher level of confidence to deal with security threats."

Since 2007, Wren has conducted regional surveys in the Midwest and Texas -
among other areas - to learn how educators are securing their schools, the
tools they are using and their motivations and challenges around school
security. As part of the company's interest in researching all areas of the
country, Wren conducted this survey in the Northeast due to the area's
population density and the unique challenges of securing urban schools.

The Northeast School Security Survey was conducted in February 2009 and
represents responses from 109 school resource officers, principals and
superintendents in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. An
executive summary of the survey results is available on Wren's website.

About Wren

Wren provides enterprise-class video surveillance solutions and services that
bring an unprecedented level of security and operational excellence to its
customers. The company's line of network video solutions and video management
software is trusted by retail, hospitality, healthcare, government facilities
and education. To help customers maximize video investments, Wren offers
professional services which include turn-key implementation, security
assessments and consulting. Established in 1983 and headquartered in Jefferson
City, MO, Wren is a member of the Security Industry Association (SIA), the
National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), the National
Association of School Safety and Law Enforcement Officers (NASSLEO), the
International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA)
and the National Retail Federation (NRF). Visit us at our website
www.wrensolutions.com.

Wren(R), the Wren logo, The Power to See Your Business, Wren IP Solutions, No
Tools Required and Solution Set Series are trademarks of Wren. The trademarks
that are followed by (R) are registered trademarks in the U.S. All other
trademarks and/or registered trademarks mentioned herein are properties of
their respective owners and are used for reference purposes only. The use of
these trademarks does not indicate any affiliation with or sponsorship of or
by Wren. (C)2009 Wren. All rights reserved.

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Media Contact:
Kathy Cabrera
Carabiner Communications
770.569.8221
kcabrera@carabinerPR.com

SOURCE Wren Solutions

Kathy Cabrera, Carabiner Communications, +1-770-569-8221,
kcabrera@carabinerPR.com