Metal Detector Proposal Receives Support In Alexandria Schools Survey

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A majority in a public survey support the use of metal detectors to screen weapons in Alexandria City Public Schools. The Alexandria City School Board will consider approval of the weapons screening pilot program on Thursday.

The survey, open from Feb. 24 to March 8, drew 4,374 responses, including 2,295 parents or guardians, 1,181 students, 609 staff and 289 other community members. Support for weapons screening at all schools was selected by 58 percent of respondents. Another 27 percent said they would support weapons screening at middle and high schools only. There were 15 percent opposed to weapons screening at schools.

While a majority of respondents supported weapons screening, support was highest among parents, guardians and community members. There were 65 percent of parents and guardians and 63 percent of community members who support weapons screening in all schools. Opposed respondents included 10 percent of parent and guardian respondents and 17 percent of community members.

Among the 1,181 student respondents, 44 percent support weapons screening at all schools, 29 percent support it at middle and high schools only, and 28 percent are opposed.

Among 609 ACPS staff, 58 percent support weapons screening at all schools, 33 percent support it at middle and high schools only, and 9 percent are opposed.

Agreement about weapons screening varied by school level. Support was highest for high schools — 66 percent of respondents. There were 56 percent who supported weapons screening at middle schools, 41 percent at K-8 schools and 32 percent at elementary schools.

For those who support weapons screening, 80 percent cited safer and more secure schools as a top reason. There were 72 percent who cited weapons entering schools as significant concern, 65 percent seek less anxiety for students and staff entering schools, and 49 percent want better screening measures than current practices.

For those opposed, 59 percent said the equipment would negatively impact the welcoming feeling of schools. There were 32 percent concerned about the cost, 25 percent concerned about additional staffing needs, and 20 percent expressing that weapons entering schools are not a concern.

Among racial and ethnic groups, a majority supported weapons screening. Support for weapons screening in all schools was selected by 70 percent of Hispanic or Latino respondents (871), 61 percent of Black or African American respondents (843), 52 percent of Asian respondents (269), 51 percent of white respondents (1,930) and 58 percent who did not share race or ethnicity (595).

The pilot program is intended to address safety concerns on school campuses, according to ACPS. Weapons screening technology would be tested at Alexandria City High School's King Street and Minnie Howard campuses, George Washington Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School.

One recent weapon incident happened at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus in early March. After a teacher reported a student had a gun, a 14-year-old was charged with gun possession on school property, according to the Washington Post. School officials said the gun was unloaded.

According to a previous presentation to the school board, the screening equipment would scan people to find concealed items. If the screening equipment would produce an alert, the individual would get secondary screening. If no alert is produced, the person would proceed to the ID check or visitor check-in process.

The technology would look similar to screening equipment used in stores or libraries. The cost would be $60,000 for each affixed system unit and $13,000 for a mobile unit.

If approved, equipment will be sought in March and April with installation and staff training slated for April. Under the anticipated timeline, the launch of the weapons screening program would happen in May.

Weapons screening could join other safety measures introduced at the start of the school year, which include an ID requirement for students at middle and high schools, designated entrances to control access, a staggered dismissal process for high school campuses and supervised lunch blocks for high school campuses.