UPrep has 61 security cameras located throughout the campus, including 15 new cameras. These new cameras were installed in late September, as a result of the events of December 2023.

The Puma Press previously reported on these events. A mobile was ravaged. This mobile consisted of the Star of David; attached by string was a Nazar amulet, a pomegranate, a candle, and a map of Israel with the Israeli flag.

The string was cut, and the map of Israel was folded. Unfortunately, the hallway with the art was not covered by  cameras. 

 “That prompted, okay, we need to put a camera there,” the Director of Facilities Robert Thom said. 

UPrep installed other cameras in addition to the new camera near the site of the vandalism.

“Security Solutions is the one that runs, or installs all of our cameras and our door fobs,” Thom said. “We tell them where we would like cameras installed and what areas we are trying to capture via those cameras, and then they come back with a proposal of this is the type of camera you need for this installation.” 

Thom believes that cameras play a vital role in life at UPrep.

“It is more about keeping this community safe,” Thom said.

The security cameras are meant to be reactionary. Their purpose is not to spy on students but rather to respond to events that have occurred. 

“If somebody went over and did put profane language on this whiteboard, then I could go look. They could say, okay, who’s done it? We go look at the camera, which is right here, and figure out, okay, who put the graffiti on there?” Thom said.

A junior at UPrep, Connor Walsh, shared his thoughts on security cameras at UPrep.

“I mean, if they’re there, I don’t really care about it,” Walsh said. 

Cameras at UPrep are here to stay and benefit students, according to the Director of Upper School, Susie Wu.

“I think it keeps us safe, Wu said.