Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) experienced some growing pains after metal detectors were installed at BCPS high schools for the 2024 school year. Students and visitors entering BCPS high schools must pass through metal detectors monitored by security personnel and school staff. The program’s launch on the first day of school led to TSA-like lines and anxious teens. Reports from local schools suggest some of the challenges have been mitigated.
The metal detector initiative is part of a broader system-wide security initiative implemented by the county’s revamped school board.
School Entry Process
Students can carry their backpacks or bags and will not need to empty pockets or remove shoes, cellphones, keys, metal on clothes, or belts, as those items will not alert the system.
Some items will result in an alert and must be placed on adjacent tables to be screened by security staff. These include laptops, large eyeglass cases, musical instruments, umbrellas, and 3-ring binders. Once students are cleared for entry, these items can
be collected.
Students who alert the system when passing through the metal detectors will be screened separately. School staff will be available to support them during this process. Special accommodations will be available for students with disabilities. Parents and guardians should contact the school’s administration for details.
Questionable Impact on Safety
Research on the use of metal detectors in U.S. high schools reveals mixed findings regarding their effectiveness and impact on school safety and student well-being.
Metal detectors can indeed help confiscate weapons, thereby potentially reducing the immediate risk of violence. For instance, in New York City schools, a significant number of weapons, including firearms, stun guns, and knives , have been confiscated using metal detectors. However, according to a RAND Corporation analysis, metal detectors alone do not guarantee reduced violence or threats.
The implementation of metal detectors can affect students’ perceptions of safety. Some studies indicate that metal detectors might contribute to a heightened sense of fear and a feeling of being criminalized among students. This is particularly pronounced in urban schools, although the negative impact on students’ sense of safety is somewhat less than in suburban or rural schools (IES.gov).
A study from the Education Trust suggests constant exposure to security measures like metal detectors may contribute to an environment of distrust and anxiety. This can potentially undermine the relationship between students and school staff, negatively impacting the overall school climate.
The Education Trust argues that resources might be better allocated towards other safety measures and supportive services that foster a positive school environment. These include improved mental health services, equitable discipline policies, and enhanced teacher-student relationships.
For more info on Broward County’s metal detectors visit www.browardschools.com/metaldetectors
