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2,000 security guards stationed at Beijing schools
May-14-2010

After a string of school and kindergarten attacks, professional security guards are now supervising school campuses, according to the China Youth Daily.

Many schools already have campus guards who stand at the gates, but this is the first group of professional guards trained just for schools and kindergartens. The team was jointly launched by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Beijing Municipal Commission of Education and Beijing Security Service General Company.

The first team could be seen on campuses across Beijing as of May 12. Wearing a red armband that says "Campus Security Man," each guard is also equipped with a helmet, stab-proof vest, cut-resistant gloves and a rubber baton. Some schools are also providing guards with additional equipment.

A special administrative office has been set to regulate duties and instruct trainings for them. The major tasks of the new force are to maintain safety inside the campus, monitor who enters the school gates and patrol the nearby area.

In addition to the 2,000 guards now stationed at the schools, thousands more are needed. According to Li Detong, director of the Cultural Security Department for the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, there are about 3,000 kindergartens and public primary or middle schools in Beijing, with about 2,000 private ones. The Bureau hopes to ensure that each campus will have at least two trained security guards to respond to emergencies.