Metal Detectors

I've often thought that metal detectors would be a good idea to install in the building I work in. I've thought this prior to what has happened to me. The reality is that my building is a security nightmare. We have numerous entrances to the school including classrooms with their own outside entrances. In recent years administration has cracked down on the freedom to open classroom doors to the outside. Also, once school starts they lock all but two entrances for the public to use. One is monitored by an emplyee and requires a guest to sign in. The other requires a guest to ring a buzzer, state their business, and then be granted admitance by a school employee. Why not consider adding metal detectors?

I spoke to two of the boys that bowl in my junior league. They are high school boys in the area. They do not know anything about my situation. The police officer handling my report recommended that I should go to work on the weekend it happened. When I returned the following weekend I didn't feel comfortable telling my bowlers, who range in age from 9-17, what had happened. So, I told them something unexpected had come up, which is true. Earlier in the bowling season one of the boys told me his school had installed metal detectors this school year.

Remembering what the kid had told me, I struck up a casual conversation with he and his brother indivudally, though. They know, as does my entire league, that I'm back in school. I told the two of them that I was doing some research on school safety, which this is true. I asked them how they felt about their school putting in metal detectors and if it increased their sense of safety at school.

Although I spoke to them individually, they both reitereated the same sentiment. Both boys thought the metal detectors were an inconvenience. Apparantly, the school made the decision to close all but one entrance to the school. There have been lengthy line-ups to get into the building in the mornings. They complained about being an hour late to school because they were held up waiting for people to get through the metal detectors. I suggested they start out earlier in the morning, but that went over like a lead balloon.

I then asked the boys how safe they felt with metal detectors at their school. I was amazed that both of them said it made no difference in how safe they felt at school. I asked them why they felt that way. Both of them said, remember one was not present when I was talking to the other, that they have seen people sneak in weapons. I was absolutely shocked. What do you mean snuck in a weapon? How is that possible with the metal detectors? Isn't the whole point of a metal detector that it beeps when metal is detected?

I probed a little more. I asked the one boy what kind of weapon he saw being snuck in. The other one offered an explanation without being prompted. Both boys have witnessed fellow students sneaking knives into school. What!!?! So, I asked if it was a plastic knife. They told me no. Again, I asked them how the student got the knife in without the metal detector detecting it. They said you put it in your backpack. They explained to me, at least this is what I understand of it, that when your turn comes you put your bookbag on a tray. The kids step through the metal detector, and security does not look in backpacks. Once you're through the metal detector you pick up your belongings, and you're on your way. My initial thought was why doesn't the security team look through the bookbags. First, maybe they have to have propable cause to search a bookbag. I'm not really sure about the legality of the issue. Second, you can only imagine how crowded it is. This is a large high school that the boys attend, and the school is already experiencing hour long backups. I'm sure students are hearded as fast as possible through those metal detectors leaving security with very little time to conduct an adequate search of the bookbag.

I learned a lot in talking with these boys. I assume metal detectors come in a variety of styles. I also assume some are more sensitive then others. My first thought was that the boys' school did not have a very sensitive metal detector. When they told me that they do not wear their backpacks through the metal detectors nor does security search through their bookbags I was concerned. More importantly, I took away a sense of doubt as to whether metal detectors are the answer.

Clearly, there are ways of getting around metal detectors. Schools strapped for cash might not be able to afford quality metal detectors. What is the point of spending money on a cheap one that doesn't pick up on much of anything. Not to mention the amount of time required to get the student body through them. Long lines and lenghty wait time only serves to fuel frustration. If students use their bookbags to sneak in contraband, and those backpacks are not searched for whatever reason (legality, lack of manpower, respect of privacy, etc.), then what is the point of installing the metal detectors. I can see now that metal detectors are not a guarantee.