As violence, especially school shootings, become more common with seemingly no end in sight, school safety measures are something that have been repeatedly demanded, especially by parents. Concern for the safety and lives of their children is absolutely understandable, but when thinking practically, the question remains as to how effective these things would be.
The most prominently requested security measure is metal detectors in the school building. This may seem like the optimal solution, but in reality, they bring with them a host of issues that may make them unnecessary or obsolete.
The first, and admittedly least significant problem is logistical. Using metal detectors to check each student would drastically slow down student entrance into the building, something which may then require the homeroom schedule to be adjusted. Long lines may also form outside the school building, something that will become uncomfortable and possibly dangerous leading into winter if students are unprepared.
Another concern is cost. Metal detectors for this purpose have a base cost between $4,000 and $5,000 per system, not including the salaries paid to those who would operate them during the school day. One system only covers one entrance to the building, C. Milton Wright has three entrances used by students every morning, to cover the school we would need at least three systems, likely costing at least $12,000 for appropriate security. Metal detectors of this kind typically have a lifespan of five years before they need to be replaced. Meaning that even if they weren’t damaged at any point, the school may need to spend at least $12,000 dollars of its budget on metal detectors every five years.
Regarding the actual effectiveness of metal detectors, when they have been implemented in airports, undercover investigations revealed that TSA employees miss up to 95% of prohibited items, including firearms, drugs, and explosives carried by passengers. How can we expect whoever is put in charge of metal detectors, which will likely be more SROs, to do better? Metal detectors alone are clearly inadequate to protect a school building
The last concern is that the installation of metal detectors unavoidably leads to the presence of armed guards in a school building. While to some the presence of more armed security personnel in a school building may seem like the natural solution given the circumstances, when looking at students surveyed across the country, it has always led to further anxiety, paranoia, and fear of violence in the school building. All those feelings in the student population lead to more and more antisocial behavior, and eventually more violence. This, while not destined to happen, should be concerning and the exact opposite of what safety measures are meant to achieve.
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/question-everything-do-metal-detectors-at-schools-really-work/
School Violence and Weapons: Metal Detectors in Schools – FindLaw
Are Metal Detectors Effective at Making Schools Safer? (ed.gov)
