Faculty districts require clear backpacks and set up detectors to seek out weapons

Fears of college shootings are prompting faculty districts throughout the nation to undertake new security protocols, together with banning backpacks and putting in weapons detectors in class entrances.

Starting subsequent faculty 12 months, college students in Broward County Public Faculties in Florida will solely be allowed to put on clear backpacks, the college district introduced in a latest assertion. The college district was the positioning of the 2018 mass capturing at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty in Parkland, the place 17 folks had been killed by a lone gunman.

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In a press release, Broward interim superintendent Earlean Smiley mentioned the see-through backpacks supplied further safety that "is a game-changer.

“Offering secure studying environments which are conducive to scholar studying is of the very best significance, not only for Broward County Public Faculties however for varsity districts throughout the nation,” Smiley mentioned. “[This policy] will permit faculty safety personnel and everybody on campus to shortly spot and report if somebody has introduced a prohibited merchandise to high school, and it'll additionally assist function a deterrent.”

In Flint, Michigan, officers have taken a step additional and utterly banned backpacks via no less than the top of the college 12 months. Small purses, lunchboxes, and clear luggage for gymnasium garments "shall be allowed inside motive" however are topic to look.

In a press release to the college district, Flint Neighborhood Faculties Superintendent Kevelin Jones mentioned that the measure was needed to make sure scholar security, and that clear backpacks don't sufficiently tackle the difficulty of scholars bringing prohibited gadgets to high school grounds.

"Throughout the nation, we now have seen a rise in threatening conduct and contraband, together with weapons, being introduced into faculties in any respect ranges," Jones mentioned. "Backpacks make it simpler for college kids to cover weapons, which will be disassembled and more durable to determine or hidden in pockets, inside books, or underneath different gadgets. Clear backpacks don't utterly repair this situation. By banning backpacks altogether and including an elevated safety presence throughout the district, we are able to higher management what's being introduced into our buildings."

In Prince William County, Virginia, the college board voted final week to put in weapons detectors within the entrances of its center faculties and excessive faculties. The detectors from Evolv Expertise are much like metallic detectors however detect weapons.

"The protection of everybody in our faculties is the board’s highest precedence. Tonight’s funding within the Evolv Weapons Detection System is the newest demonstration of our dedication to safer faculties," Prince William County Faculty Board Chairman Babur Lateef mentioned, in line with FOX 5. "This detection system enhances present safety measures and is crucial as we work to enhance the protection of our college students and workers members."