Multiple US School Districts Implement Rotating Metal Detectors for Weapon Screening

Several school districts across the U.S. are implementing or expanding the use of metal detectors as a security measure to prevent weapons from entering schools ahead of the new academic year. St. Lucie County, Florida, is introducing randomized walk-through metal detectors, notifying families only on the first day of deployment to maintain the element of surprise, a strategy seen as a better deterrent than fixed daily screenings. Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia is adding metal detectors to 23 middle schools following a pilot program in high schools, aiming to extend weapon screening to all middle and high schools. Anchorage School District in Alaska is launching a pilot program with portable metal detectors rotated randomly among middle and high schools to enhance safety and deter weapons, with deployments also responding to specific threats. Community responses vary, with some parents and residents supporting any measures that improve school safety, while others express concern about the potential disruption and effectiveness of such measures. These initiatives reflect a broader trend to bolster school security amid ongoing concerns about weapons and violence in educational settings.