With the rise of on-demand delivery services like Amazon, Uber Eats, and DoorDash, modern conveniences have reached even the most traditional of settings — our schools. While these services add efficiency and ease to daily life, they also introduce an overlooked security risk that schools, especially Christian schools prioritizing a safe, faith-based learning environment, must address.
Every day, delivery drivers arrive at school entrances to drop off packages, meals, and supplies. It’s become so routine that many schools now expect these visits as part of their daily operations. But herein lies the problem: How do you tell a legitimate delivery driver from someone with nefarious intent?
Why Delivery Drivers Pose a Security Risk
Disguises are one of the oldest tricks in the book for gaining unauthorized access to secure areas, and schools are no exception. Think about it — a reflective vest, a box in hand, and a confident stride are often all it takes to blend in as a delivery driver. Without stringent security protocols, an individual with harmful intent could pose as a driver, approach the school, and potentially gain access to areas where students, teachers, and staff are present.
Schools often have procedures in place for visitors, volunteers, and even parents, but delivery drivers are frequently overlooked. Packages and meals arrive throughout the day, sometimes during the busiest moments, creating a perfect opportunity for someone to bypass the system.
In Christian schools, where the emphasis is often on fostering a safe, welcoming environment rooted in love and faith, the presence of a stranger at the door may not immediately trigger alarm. This approachability is part of what makes faith-based education so unique, but it also increases the importance of having strong security measures in place.
How Schools Can Mitigate This Risk
To protect students, staff, and the integrity of Christian education, schools must take proactive measures to reduce the risk posed by delivery drivers. Here are six effective strategies to improve school security and maintain a safe learning environment.
1️⃣ Create a Secure, Designated Drop-Off Area
The most effective way to reduce delivery-based threats is to establish a clearly marked, secure drop-off point outside the school’s main entrance. This area should be positioned in front of locked doors, ensuring that drivers can leave packages or meals without ever entering the building. Clear signage can direct delivery personnel on where to place items, and this simple step prevents them from approaching staff or students directly.
2️⃣ Leverage Video Intercoms and Security Cameras
Install surveillance cameras and a video intercom system at the designated delivery area. This allows front-office staff or security personnel to see, speak with, and verify the identity of delivery drivers before accepting a package. The presence of cameras alone serves as a deterrent, and intercoms add a layer of control over who approaches the building.
3️⃣ Restrict Access and Require Identification
Schools should require delivery drivers to provide identification if they need to enter the building for any reason. However, to reduce this risk entirely, schools should minimize the need for drivers to enter at all. For Christian schools with fewer resources for security staffing, implementing a “no driver entry” policy is an affordable, effective solution.
4️⃣ Train Office Staff to Recognize and Report Suspicious Behavior
All school office staff should be trained to identify behaviors that seem unusual or out of place. If a “delivery driver” seems unfamiliar, overly assertive, or unable to provide basic information about the package they’re delivering, it should raise a red flag. Training can also include visual cues that distinguish legitimate delivery personnel from potential impostors.
5️⃣ Establish Policies for Food and Meal Deliveries
Food delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash are a growing trend in many schools, especially for students ordering meals. Schools should develop a clear policy about how student meal deliveries are handled. Should students be allowed to order food during the day? If so, where should it be delivered, and how should the driver be handled upon arrival? For security purposes, Christian schools may choose to limit or restrict personal food deliveries entirely.
6️⃣ Communicate with Parents and Vendors
Many of the risks associated with deliveries stem from well-meaning parents and vendors who unknowingly create vulnerabilities. Schools should send clear, written policies to parents, letting them know where deliveries should be made and emphasizing that students should not have outside meals delivered during school hours. Vendors should also be informed of the school’s secure delivery procedures to avoid confusion.
Christian School Security: A Higher Calling
Security in Christian schools isn’t just about protecting students — it’s about safeguarding the mission, values, and community of faith-based education. While compassion, grace, and openness are essential to Christian education, they must be balanced with caution and preparedness.
As school security expert Matt Pasquinilli often reminds school leaders, “The greatest threat to student safety is the belief that ‘it could never happen here.’” Christian schools must avoid this mindset and actively address security vulnerabilities, including the potential for unauthorized entry by disguised delivery personnel.
Every individual at a school entrance — whether wearing a uniform, carrying a package, or holding a food delivery bag — represents an opportunity to either reinforce security or expose a weakness. By taking the simple steps outlined above, schools can close this security gap while still fostering a welcoming atmosphere for students, parents, and trusted visitors.
Final Thoughts
The rise of on-demand delivery services is a sign of the times, and like all societal shifts, it requires schools to adapt. No school — public, private, or Christian — is immune to the risks posed by strangers approaching the building. With intentional planning and the implementation of proactive security measures, schools can maintain the balance between hospitality and safety.
If you’re a school administrator, teacher, or parent, consider asking:
• Does our school have a clear, designated drop-off area for packages and food?
• Are delivery drivers being screened or recorded when they arrive?
• Are staff and security teams trained to recognize potential threats from disguised individuals?
Protecting students is a collective effort, and with modern threats constantly evolving, school security policies must do the same. By staying one step ahead, Christian schools can ensure they remain places of faith, learning, and — most importantly — safety.