Metal Detectors in Schools | Is Metal Detector Solution For School Security

The daily use of metal detectors in schools is the exception, not the rule, in most U.S. schools. However, used in some larger urban districts with a history of chronic firearms crime, and parents and the media often mention metal detectors after high-profile school violence incidents. There are many implementation issues that school officials should seriously consider in discussions about the potential use of detectors in schools.

In addition, if they should be used, their capabilities, limitations, and expectations should be presented fairly and in context to the school community and each city. For many, it is essential to implement them because high schools can be detected with metal detectors.

Metal detectors in school court cases tend to be many today. However, schools with metal detectors statistics have made it clear that they are highly effective. A data of 2018-19, School Quality Guide has shown that the safety rate has increased in those schools that use metal detectors.

Metal Detectors and School Safety

National School Safety and Security Services receives some inquiries about high schools with metal detectors and school safety from all school districts, especially after high-profile school shootings or other incidents of school violence involving weapons.

Metal detectors in schools research study highlighted the need for metal detectors in schools. However, today many are asking; are school metal detectors adequate, and should all schools have metal detectors to improve school safety?

Safety in schools security and metal detectors: in need of a “warranty “for school security

Most schools in the United States do not use metal detectors daily, yet school principals in recent years have required this. There are no credible estimates on the accurate number of schools deploying metal detectors. However, the exact number of schools deploying data on the actual number of schools operating metal detectors is unclear. The fixed metal detectors used daily are generally limited to large urban school districts with a chronic history of gun-related crime.

Following high-profile incidents of school violence, whether school drive-by shootings or knife attacks, it is not at all uncommon for some parents, the media, and other people in a school setting to request metal detectors in response to such incidents.

Understandably, parents want some sort of “guarantee” that these types of high-profile incidents will not happen again. It is a false belief by just a few that money laundering metal detectors can offer such a guarantee.

Moreover, there is no single strategy or even combination of strategies that can 100% guarantee that there will not be a school shooting or other acts of violence.

Therefore, school officials must be careful to avoid overreactions, knee-jerk reactions, and the temptation to throw out security equipment after a high-profile incident primarily to appease parents and relieve parental, community, and media pressures.

Doing so may well create a false sense of security that will backfire on school officials in the long run. Today, thanks to the shootings in recent years, many mothers have opted to hire private school teachers for their children, who often visit them daily. This is an alternative school. However, this could be a bit counterproductive.

Metal Detectors and Schools: Philosophical Debates

Generally, the debate over metal detectors in schools boils down to advocates calling for metal detectors to “do everything possible to make schools safer.”

Opponents of metal detectors in schools often oppose them because they believe metal detectors will create a “prison-like” environment and negatively implicate the school climate. Opponents also point to the costs of metal detecting equipment.

Unfortunately, debates often “stall” on this point without delving into essential implementation considerations. So the more days of school that go by, the worse it is for school personnel.

In addition, metal detectors in schools’ costs tend to be a bit high.

Why are Metal Detectors in Schools Controversial?

One of the most significant objections to metal detectors is that they create the perception that students become unsafe and violent. Their idea goes: “If you think we don’t trust our trainees that are a problem.” However, it’s a great idea to avoid entering schools with metal.

It’s a good statement and one that students may be inclined to express. But we can reason about it by considering airports as an illustration. Nowadays, you can’t get on a plane without going through a series of metal detectors, X-ray machines, and police officers.

Very few of us feel offended by this process or feel that we qualify as “risks.” Instead, we recognize that we can increase the safety of airplanes and their passengers by having metal detectors and other security measures. The same is true of metal detectors in schools. It’s not about distrusting students. It is simply about reducing the chances of violent acts occurring on property and keeping students safe.

Indeed, we don’t want to have to deal with the worst-case scenario of a school shooting. And metal detectors indeed serve as a reminder that shootings are a concern. But isn’t it better to remember the danger you avoid than ignore the situation until lives are lost?

Do Metal Detectors Work in a School?

In the United States, various metal detectors in schools have been put into practice, especially in neighborhoods, and have significantly reduced school shootings.

Briefly, in short, metal detectors are helping to Prevent School Shootings. They are infallible or definitive, but the statistics where they stand illustrate a clear impact.

NYC schools had a marked uptick in gun searches during each school grade. More than half of those weapons were found through metal detectors. This showed that there are a large number of students who can carry weapons to school.

In this case alone, more than 1,000 firearms could have possibly disappeared without the metal detectors. A student carrying a gun in the public streets is all it took for many lives to be lost and another tragic story to be in the news.

How many of those lost firearms do we want to risk being used to carry out a mass shooting at school?

The answer, of course, is none. The fact that metal detectors have done their job finding them is just one example of how they have served schools well. They may not be the only solution (and their negative aspects will be addressed later in this article), but they are one solution that can help stem the tide of gun violence.

Benefits of Metal Detectors in Schools

Metal detectors have a myriad of benefits that can significantly benefit every student and teacher’s life. There are some alternatives to metal detectors in schools, but they are not as effective.

They are part of best practices.

All schools should undertake all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of their students. This means that schools and their staff follow best practices. If one of the steps involving best practices involves installing metal detectors, it is an essential part of that process. It also doesn’t hurt that the Department of Homeland Security has recommended metal detectors. So for many, it is vital to retrofit these detectors from school to school.

Deterrence

Being aware of the proximity of metal detectors can help reduce the number of gun violence cases.

If those planning an attack know that it will be more challenging to commit a mass shooting in a location with metal detectors, they can avoid even bringing weapons anywhere near the school if discovered and the plan fails.

Peace of mind

Given that school shootings are uppermost in so many folks’ minds, it is pretty disheartening to think that teachers and students are afraid to even go to school. Some are distracted by the constant fear that a mass shooting at school is possible at any moment. Having metal detectors in the school can help provide some sense of security and alleviate fears.

While there will still be many different concerns that teachers and their students will have to keep worrying about themselves (pop tests and cafeteria lunches come to mind), but the fear of suddenly living will no longer have to occupy so much space in their minds.

Metal Detectors in Schools: FAQs

Can metal detectors be used in schools?

It will be up to school parents and site administrators to collaborate to establish whether or not the metal detectors provide the right solution for their students. Growing numbers of schools decided that the simple answer is yes to use metal detectors as an integral part of their overall school safety and security strategy.

Why do schools need metal detectors?

Metal detectors effectively alert school staff to any firearms that students may attempt to smuggles into a school, either to hurt or show off to a friend. They are also helpful for detecting knives, bombs, and other dangerous items that could threaten students and staff.

Can metal detection systems be a solution for school security?

Metal detectors help prevent school shootings. They are infallible or definitive, but the statistics where they exist illustrate a clear impact.

Do high schools have metal detectors?

In the United States, there are some 26,407 public schools and 10,693 private high schools. A majority of them do not carry metal detectors. In high crime and violent environments, metal detectors are more likely to be in place.  This shows that how many schools have metal detectors in the United States is extremely low.

Why are metal detectors bad for schools?

Metal detectors are thought to be expensive (proper use requires an armed school resource officer) and tend to clog entrances. They can also create a sense of imprisonment among students, have been linked to decreased academic performance, and, worst of all, do not work well in the school environment.

How can we make school safer?

• Practice your communication.
• Involve parents in school operations.
• Make students part of the team.
• Vary your fire drills.
• Download Nixle.
• Get to know your campus.
• Have a plan for non-school daytime activities.
• Research.

How do metal detectors help soldiers?

• Help soldiers find hidden bombs. 
• Find weaknesses in their armor. 
• They create a soft beep.

Why should teachers be able to carry guns?

Examples of some arguments in favor of equipping teachers would include that if teachers were armed, they would defend themselves from attack, possibly minimizing fatalities. In addition, arming teachers could act as a deterrent: if potential shooters knew that teachers were armed, they would be less likely to carry out an attack.

Conclusion

In-school walk through metal detectors is a topic that creates debate, controversy, effectiveness issues. The need for an independent discussion of the pros and cons. Clearly, the data illustrates that providing metal detectors at schools can lower the risk of school shootings substantially. But they are not a magic panacea. They are sometimes too expensive for schools to afford. Even when schools have metal detectors, it is imperative to supplement them with other programs that offer threat assessments, self-esteem enhancement, and conflict resolution.

Making more and more schools equipped with metal detectors helps to reduce the rate of school shootings. It may take time to be widespread in schools, though, as many still struggle. To understand how to combat the rise in gun violence.

In the end, metal detectors help prevent school shootings. That’s the bottom line to be drawn from it all. As if having metal detectorists on campus can avoid even one significant tragic occurrence of heartbreak. The loss of the lives of young people, and then they are worth far greater value than the prospectors. And seriously should be viewed as a vital ingredient of any holistic safety plan.