Safe, Secure, and Welcoming
As the community celebrated its Homecoming, St. Mark's hosted more than 1,000 people on its campus. This included students and parents, alumni and families, and athletes, coaches, and staff from three different schools. Needless to say, the campus was packed. It was an environment that the St. Mark’s security team trains for year-round.
The 40 acres of 10600 Preston Road are under surveillance and protection 24/7 by a dedicated team of security professionals backed up by a roster of off-duty Dallas Police Department (DPD) officers. But, for Dale Hackbarth, St. Mark's Director of Security and veteran DPD and SWAT officer, keeping the school safe is just the first half of the mission.
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Security officer Tim Houston keeps watch during the Homecoming football game.
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"The challenge for a school is to make the campus as safe as possible while maintaining an open and welcoming atmosphere,” said Hackbarth. “St. Mark’s takes a multilayer approach to this challenge, which has proven to be successful.”
Whether for a high-profile community event like Homecoming or a regular school day, the security team constantly seeks to improve its practices and ensure the best possible experience for everyone on campus. This begins with a team of full-time security officers.
In October, the security team added its newest member. Brian Feinstein comes to St. Mark's following a 28-year career with DPD and six years working security at a peer school. Feinstein's addition brings St. Mark's full-time security team to nine total, with six being retired DPD officers.
In October, the security team added its newest member. Brian Feinstein comes to St. Mark's following a 28-year career with DPD and six years working security at a peer school. Feinstein's addition brings St. Mark's full-time security team to nine total, with six being retired DPD officers.
First and foremost, these professionals get to know the school and the people.
“Developing relationships with the people that regularly come to campus is the best way to ensure their safety,” Hackbarth said. “This staff understands the class schedule, school events, and sports schedules. This is critical for recognizing who belongs on campus and who does not.”
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St. Mark's security team members participate in a live-fire training session.
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To maintain their vigilance, security team members continually drill and train, both on campus and beyond. This summer, the security team's six retired police officers participated in an eight-hour, dynamic live-fire training course at a special facility in Nacogdoches.
Maintaining such a high level of vigilance across a 40-acre, multi-building campus is no small task, and the security team employs the latest technology to assist them. The School recently bolstered its arsenal of security cameras, adding dozens of additional cameras and AI-powered monitoring software to keep a close eye on campus, the facilities, the parking lots, and the perimeter.
While the campus remains an open and welcoming space, dozens of doors at entry points have been upgraded so that the security team can enforce a lockdown at any time. Panic buttons are strategically placed across campus and security film was installed on windows at several popular entry points. Additional cameras and technology can identify visitors when they arrive on campus and notify security personnel if necessary.
Maintaining such a high level of vigilance across a 40-acre, multi-building campus is no small task, and the security team employs the latest technology to assist them. The School recently bolstered its arsenal of security cameras, adding dozens of additional cameras and AI-powered monitoring software to keep a close eye on campus, the facilities, the parking lots, and the perimeter. While the campus remains an open and welcoming space, dozens of doors at entry points have been upgraded so that the security team can enforce a lockdown at any time. Panic buttons are strategically placed across campus and security film was installed on windows at several popular entry points. Additional cameras and technology can identify visitors when they arrive on campus and notify security personnel if necessary.
And even with these robust capabilities, Hackbarth and his team strive to ensure that St. Mark’s remains welcoming to all.
“Our number one goal is to continually look for ways to raise the level of security on campus without creating the impression of a fortress,” said Hackbarth. “St. Mark’s is a safe place for learning and growth. We can all work together to ensure this remains true.”
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Security officer Doug Brady greets a student while monitoring the Homecoming Kick-Off Party.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
