Metal detectors at schools: Howe effective are they? – WGAL Susquehanna Valley Pa.
Some parents in the Cumberland Valley School District want metal detectors at schools after a gun was found in a student’s backpack earlier this month.News 8 spoke with a school security expect to learn more about how effective metal detectors would be.Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, said a metal detector alone is not enough to prevent weapons from getting into school buildings.According to Canady, building security often focuses on the main entrance.However, he said schools need to be securing the entire perimeter. This includes any door that leads into the building.”If someone can get something in from a perimeter door being propped, not functioning properly, then the metal detector doesn’t really matter at that point. And we could be creating a false sense of security,” he said.If perimeters are secured, Canady said metal detectors can work well – as long as they’re managed properly.For that to happen, he said several things need to be in place: a clear procedure, well-trained operators and regular equipment maintenance. Canady also noted that while security technology is a useful tool, school resource officers make a huge impact in making a school safer.
Some parents in the Cumberland Valley School District want metal detectors at schools after a gun was found in a student’s backpack earlier this month.
News 8 spoke with a school security expect to learn more about how effective metal detectors would be.
Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, said a metal detector alone is not enough to prevent weapons from getting into school buildings.
According to Canady, building security often focuses on the main entrance.
However, he said schools need to be securing the entire perimeter. This includes any door that leads into the building.
“If someone can get something in from a perimeter door being propped, not functioning properly, then the metal detector doesn’t really matter at that point. And we could be creating a false sense of security,” he said.
If perimeters are secured, Canady said metal detectors can work well – as long as they’re managed properly.
For that to happen, he said several things need to be in place: a clear procedure, well-trained operators and regular equipment maintenance.
Canady also noted that while security technology is a useful tool, school resource officers make a huge impact in making a school safer.
