Hinsdale D86 May Buy Weapons Detection System

HINSDALE, IL – A weapons detection system is being proposed for Hinsdale Central and South high schools, but it wouldn't be used daily, an official says.

In a memo earlier this month, Kurt Bluder, Hinsdale District 86's director of security, recommended going with the OpenGate system.

The district examined OpenGate and Evolv, but security staff preferred OpenGate because of its portability and ease of use, Bluder said.

It would be used at sports events and circumstances such as a credible threat requiring another layer of security, he said.

At the same time, Bluder said the district is not considering using the system daily. That's because of required staffing, the number of false positives and delays for students entering the school, he said.

Among the false positives are umbrellas, glasses cases and large three-ring binders. Laptops must be passed around the systems' towers to avoid alerts, Bluder said.

OpenGate was also cheaper than Evolv, at $162,988.

At last week's school board meeting, Bluder said the district would need eight to 10 more employees to handle screening daily.

"At this point in time, it would not be practical," he said.

No action was taken.