Having several years of experience working in the security industry and in public safety, I can confidently say that the question is not whether or not metal detectors will improve school safety, but HOW MUCH metal detectors will improve security safety. Metal Detector/Hand wands are only a single asset in a large range of equipment and instruments used to better secure a building or location. We use metal detectors in our airports, our government buildings, and even in private businesses. Metal detectors alone will not even come close to fully deterring and/or preventing individuals looking to harm our students and school staff. It will, however, make it more difficult to successfully enter the building undetected and is an appropriate next step in responding to our nation's plethora of school attacks. Along with Metal detectors, we should be considering more security/police presence where possible (do not sit here and talk about funding. It is there. We just need to come together as public and private departments, as school districts, and as families to make it work) Majority of school districts in urban settings already have metal detectors. If you look at recent school shootings (legitimate shootings where there was the intent to harm another individual and not just an accidental misfire), virtually every single one has been in what can be perceived as a peaceful, lower-crime area. Our communities need to become proactive and vigilante in preventing these shootings. We can debate gun laws all we want, but those laws are not going to take guns off the street and they are not going to make our children safer anytime soon.
Having several years of experience working in the security industry and in public safety, I can confidently say that the question is not whether or not metal detectors will improve school safety, but HOW MUCH metal detectors will improve security safety. Metal Detector/Hand wands are only a single asset in a large range of equipment and instruments used to better secure a building or location. We use metal detectors in our airports, our government buildings, and even in private businesses. Metal detectors alone will not even come close to fully deterring and/or preventing individuals looking to harm our students and school staff. It will, however, make it more difficult to successfully enter the building undetected and is an appropriate next step in responding to our nation's plethora of school attacks. Along with Metal detectors, we should be considering more security/police presence where possible (do not sit here and talk about funding. It is there. We just need to come together as public and private departments, as school districts, and as families to make it work) Majority of school districts in urban settings already have metal detectors. If you look at recent school shootings (legitimate shootings where there was the intent to harm another individual and not just an accidental misfire), virtually every single one has been in what can be perceived as a peaceful, lower-crime area. Our communities need to become proactive and vigilante in preventing these shootings. We can debate gun laws all we want, but those laws are not going to take guns off the street and they are not going to make our children safer anytime soon.