By Kevin Deutsch
Broward County Public Schools are now using metal detectors to conduct random screenings of students during the school day, district officials announced Thursday.
The screenings are being conducted in randomly selected classrooms and checking students’ belongings for weapons and other dangerous items.
The “wandings” are being conducted by “trained security personnel and are similar to the screenings experienced when visiting entertainment venues, airports, or other government agencies,” the district said in a press release.
Schools and classrooms are being randomly identified for security checks using a computerized tool, “which eliminates bias in the selection process,” according to the press release.
Additional details about the computerized tool being used, and the selection process currently in place, were not included in the release.
Officials said no physical contact is made with students during metal detector wandings.
“The goal is to ensure safer learning environments by detecting weapons and other dangerous objects on our campuses and, ultimately, deter students from bringing these items to school,” said Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Vickie L. Cartwright. “I would like to thank our School Board for approving this policy and for continuing to prioritize school safety. We encourage parents, guardians, and caregivers to speak with their children about the consequences, including possible expulsion and potential criminal charges, if they bring weapons and prohibited items onto school campuses.”
BCPS is the sixth-largest school district in the nation and the second-largest in Florida, with nearly 261,500 children attending district schools.
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