When School and County Officials Suggest Metal Detectors for Schools

While metal detectors can help reduce the presence of weapons on school campuses, the measure alone may not be enough to prevent all weapons from entering school grounds.  There are school districts and county officials across the United States seeking ways to include metal detectors into their budgets.  Yet, school law enforcement officials know there are legal restrictions that also affect the level of safety for schools.

Making an Agreement on How Metal Detectors Would Be Used in Schools

There are a number of controversial issues in having metal detectors in schools, with district officials considering legal restrictions that could actually hurt a school’s chance at getting a detector installed. One report looks at the process for approving metal detectors for a school district in the state of Nevada.  Because of where school officials want to install the metal detector within school buildings, many districts have to consider scaling down on the type of detector they want for their school.

For instance, if school officials want a walk-through detector at certain entrances and exits, county officials may find safety issues clashing with idea, such as how would students evacuate from the building quickly and safely in an emergency?  Plus, county officials feel that placing detectors at such points at the school could create additional problems and inconsistencies.

Compromising on Where the Device Can Be Used and How

This school district is considering the use of hand-held metal detectors, with walk through detectors for middle and high school campuses.  Community members and officials often explore such measures after so many crimes have been committed or they notice a trend in violent acts that are happening in their communities.

In the case of the Nevada school district, there have been a number of school shootings and incidents in recent times that have caused students to miss flying bullets, get grazed or wounded and even cause fatalities of young students.  Many school districts have visited the measure in the past, but then violence strikes or seems like it is on the rise, they once again find themselves revising the idea.  More schools want metal detectors but cost measures and how they would be implemented at the school continue to raise conflict between community members and school safety law officials.

Additional Measures Being Reviewed

Aside from metal detectors, digital security cameras are also on the rise and being added to more school security budgets.  There are other issues to consider such as student behavior and those with behavioral problems.  A number of districts seem to be slow in responding to needs of students who may need to be placed in an alternative learning environment.  Some community members and educators agree that many students who have behavior issues may not be getting the help they need, while they too play a role in increasing school violence.  There are ongoing reports throughout the United States on similar measures, but few feel the presence of a metal detector could greatly decrease negative behavior patterns among students.