EducationCustomer Story
Richmond County Schools
How Richmond County Schools Replaced Failing Cameras Across 16 Schools
Many of Richmond County’s school cameras no longer worked, and the rest produced images no one could make out. SCW replaced the countywide system across 16 schools within a limited public budget.
About Richmond County Schools
Richmond County, North Carolina is best known for the Rockingham Speedway. Beginning in 1965, The Rock, as it is affectionately known, hosted decades of stock car racing legends, and the county’s population doubled on the weekends of major events.
Situated roughly halfway between Charlotte and Fayetteville, Richmond County is home to 46,639 residents. Of those, 7,368 attend one of the county’s sixteen public schools.
“We believe that our educators continually strive to leave a lasting legacy in and out of the classroom by Inspiring Excellence. Together, our district is well-positioned to demonstrate how a rural county can compete academically on a global scale.”
01 · The Problem
The Problem
Security in schools is rarely out of the news. IT Director Michael Williams cited camera quality as the district’s main concern.
The existing security cameras were extremely out of date. A large portion of the cameras was not functional and the remaining cameras’ images were not distinguishable.
This is a common outcome when low-cost cameras are used for initial installations: buyers end up paying more over time for blurry, unusable footage. The second concern was coverage. “We were not able to adequately monitor all areas of the buildings,” said Williams. Like all publicly funded institutions, the district also faced budget limits, so SCW’s security team configured camera layouts to maximize coverage within the available funding.
02 · The Solution
The Solution
The scope was large: replace the security camera systems countywide in 16 schools.
The new system was intended to provide a quality video feed to help address student disciplinary issues and to safeguard both staff and students.
03 · The Result
The Result
The new cameras have become an essential tool in the daily operations of Richmond County’s schools.
Williams’ observations match what law enforcement officials have long said: visible security cameras deter crime.
“The improved coverage allows us to have actual evidence of reported injuries to staff within the building. The cameras have also made dealing with discipline more effective. We can now get actual video of incidents that occur on our campus to show parents.”
SCW is proud to partner with Richmond County Public Schools and to be directly involved in protecting more than 7,000 students.
The cameras have been a positive improvement on all campuses. The cameras have become an essential tool in the daily operations of the schools. There has been less theft. Discipline issues have decreased because students know the cameras are there and capturing what they do.
04 · Why SCW?
Why Richmond County Schools Chose SCW
Commercial grade
SCW sells only commercial-grade equipment. After dealing with inoperable cameras and unusable footage, county officials wanted upgraded equipment that would avoid repeat issues. “I chose SCW because they were selling a good product that was cost-effective,” said Williams.
Service after the sale
Free, US-based, lifetime tech support made SCW the clear choice. “They have been very helpful and always willing to help solve problems.” All of the cameras installed for the project included SCW’s standard 3-year warranty, with the option to extend it to five years.
Scalability
SCW systems are designed to meet immediate needs and to be easily duplicated as the district adds campuses. Future school upgrades and expansions can be built on the framework now in place.
Single-source purchase
Buying from one provider made purchasing simple. SCW supplied every item needed for a complete, professional IP camera system, down to the cable and wire crimping tools.
Get Started
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