When students rushed into the halls of SHS on Oct. 23, they were met with new weapons detection systems that were installed at entrances around the school. Students’ minds were instantly filled with lots of questions and opinions about how the device hinders their routine and what sets it off.
“But as we learn through this together, then students understand, well I’m just gonna leave that at home or I’ll slide it around,” Principal Amy Boone said. “And everyone’s been patient and I think it helps that good or bad, we kind of get used to it.”
This system isn’t going anywhere according to assistant principal Eric Woodke. Students are going to have to evolve just as the system put in place will. Some things that may help people evolve is to not have the metal items together in a close proximity but space them out throughout their bookbag.
“We’re still learning, you know, and there’s still things that are changing, things being adjusted. It’s gonna be a constant evolution of pieces,” Boone said.
As it turns out, the new system is just one piece of the overall safety upgrade to the school, according to Chris Sampson, associate superintendent of Perry Township. Over the last seven years there’s been digital radio systems, exterior door alarms and avigilon camera systems that all work in unison with each other. The weapons detection system is just one component into the complexity of the schools security.
“I think the idea was, you know, we obviously wanna make sure education is key. But also making sure students are safe,” Boone said.
The safety of the students is the whole reason why the district is implementing this system. Just last year a weapon was found inside the building, and school shootings are increasing at an alarming rate.
From 2000 to 2021, there were 276 casualties (108 killed and 168 wounded) in active shooter incidents at elementary and secondary schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Luckily there have been no weapon related items found since the weapons detection system was put in place.
“Complacency and convenience are many times the enemy of safety,” Sampson said. “As gun violence continues to be an issue in our communities, it is imperative for us to be diligent about keeping our school zones as safe areas for our students and staff … free of weapons.”
