What would be the process to get metal detectors in MCPS schools?

[Anonymous]

How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

[Anonymous]

Thanks but no thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know if this has been discussed/voted on in recent years? Do some schools already have them? What would be the most effective ways for parents to help make this happen?

Jack Smith sent this memo to the board in 2018:
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/boe/meetings/memorandum/180926-cost-install-metal-detectors-08-30-18-05.pdf

"A recent report in the Los Angeles Unified School District found that the metal detection system was ineffective compared to other security measures and had a negative impact on school climate. This report recommended removal of the metal detection systems in that district."[/quote

I guess that sentence from Jack Smith's memo on the subject settles it.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

Alternatively, we don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on metal detectors, we just need to improve procedures so that reports of guns are properly investigated. But that wouldn't enrich the manufacturers and sellers of metal detectors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

Alternatively, we don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on metal detectors, we just need to improve procedures so that reports of guns are properly investigated. But that wouldn't enrich the manufacturers and sellers of metal detectors.

Well, they did search the student but didn't find it because when they called him down to the office, he didn't have it on his person but in his backpack. A weapons detector would have caught the weapon in his backpack.

So there goes that argument that policy and procedure alone is the answer. The truth is, we need every tool we can get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

Alternatively, we don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on metal detectors, we just need to improve procedures so that reports of guns are properly investigated. But that wouldn't enrich the manufacturers and sellers of metal detectors.

Well, they did search the student but didn't find it because when they called him down to the office, he didn't have it on his person but in his backpack. A weapons detector would have caught the weapon in his backpack.

So there goes that argument that policy and procedure alone is the answer. The truth is, we need every tool we can get.

Sorry. I misspoke. The school officials did search the book bag and didn't find the gun. They in fact do not know exactly where the gun was hidden, though you can imagine it must have been somewhere in the classroom.

Either way, the response to the school after the incident is to install metal detectors: https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/13/us/newport-news-virginia-shooting-friday/index.html

So maybe you should believe the people who've survived the trauma of gun violence in schools on why measures like weapon detectors are valuable to giving people a sense of safety and wellbeing instead of sitting on your high horse and living in the realm of theory rather than reality?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

Alternatively, we don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on metal detectors, we just need to improve procedures so that reports of guns are properly investigated. But that wouldn't enrich the manufacturers and sellers of metal detectors.

Well, they did search the student but didn't find it because when they called him down to the office, he didn't have it on his person but in his backpack. A weapons detector would have caught the weapon in his backpack.

So there goes that argument that policy and procedure alone is the answer. The truth is, we need every tool we can get.

Not really, it's been judged ineffective in other jurisdictions where they've been in use like LA county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not cost or time efficient. Even the new ones that use sensor technology (so you don't have to remove metal jewelry or belts, they can detect the shape and thickness of metal weapons) take minutes per person to scan. You would also need extra trained staff to monitor the process of each student walking through and be able to respond if a weapon was found.

PG County is doing it. What does PG County know that MoCo doesn't and can't know? Does PG have more resources and expertise than us?

PG County also kept SROs while MoCo got rid of them despite 100% support for the program from school principals.

PG County doesn’t have to contend with the Montgomery County Council, which is primarily directed by a small group of vocal activists.

I'm guessing that the members of the Montgomery County Council, who were elected by the voters, have a better sense of what people in the county want and are concerned about than an anonymous internet rando.

I’m going to disagree with you there. The MoCo council made that decision even though 100% of school principals were against it. They made it based off a 3 student (just 3) panel and a lot of noise from a very small group of activists.

So the people in the schools were ignored.

I don’t think the council actually listens at all to the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not cost or time efficient. Even the new ones that use sensor technology (so you don't have to remove metal jewelry or belts, they can detect the shape and thickness of metal weapons) take minutes per person to scan. You would also need extra trained staff to monitor the process of each student walking through and be able to respond if a weapon was found.

PG County is doing it. What does PG County know that MoCo doesn't and can't know? Does PG have more resources and expertise than us?

PG County also kept SROs while MoCo got rid of them despite 100% support for the program from school principals.

PG County doesn’t have to contend with the Montgomery County Council, which is primarily directed by a small group of vocal activists.

I'm guessing that the members of the Montgomery County Council, who were elected by the voters, have a better sense of what people in the county want and are concerned about than an anonymous internet rando.

I’m going to disagree with you there. The MoCo council made that decision even though 100% of school principals were against it. They made it based off a 3 student (just 3) panel and a lot of noise from a very small group of activists.

So the people in the schools were ignored.

I don’t think the council actually listens at all to the county.

The County Council has zero interest in what parents in Montgomery County want when it comes to MCPS. Zero. This has been shown over and over. The County Council has its own political agenda and follows that, regardless of what is in our kids' best interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are not cost or time efficient. Even the new ones that use sensor technology (so you don't have to remove metal jewelry or belts, they can detect the shape and thickness of metal weapons) take minutes per person to scan. You would also need extra trained staff to monitor the process of each student walking through and be able to respond if a weapon was found.

PG County is doing it. What does PG County know that MoCo doesn't and can't know? Does PG have more resources and expertise than us?

PG County also kept SROs while MoCo got rid of them despite 100% support for the program from school principals.

PG County doesn’t have to contend with the Montgomery County Council, which is primarily directed by a small group of vocal activists.

I'm guessing that the members of the Montgomery County Council, who were elected by the voters, have a better sense of what people in the county want and are concerned about than an anonymous internet rando.

I’m going to disagree with you there. The MoCo council made that decision even though 100% of school principals were against it. They made it based off a 3 student (just 3) panel and a lot of noise from a very small group of activists.

So the people in the schools were ignored.

I don’t think the council actually listens at all to the county.

No, that is not what they based their decision on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

Alternatively, we don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on metal detectors, we just need to improve procedures so that reports of guns are properly investigated. But that wouldn't enrich the manufacturers and sellers of metal detectors.

Well, they did search the student but didn't find it because when they called him down to the office, he didn't have it on his person but in his backpack. A weapons detector would have caught the weapon in his backpack.

So there goes that argument that policy and procedure alone is the answer. The truth is, we need every tool we can get.

We need every effective tool we can get. Metal detectors in school are not effective in deterring or preventing violence. They are effective in costing a lot of money, though.

[Anonymous]

Metal detectors are better than nothing. I suspect those opposed don't have kids in MCPS. Our HS has been evacuated for multiple threats several times this year. This gives a sense of fear and kids question their safety. Why do we need to wait for an incident to get tighter with security? We've already had multiple incidents that put our kids and the staff at risk. When is enough enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would metal detectors have prevented the gun that Fairland Elem kids found in a trash can during recess?

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/elementary-students-find-gun-in-trash-can-on-school-grounds-in-silver-spring-principal

The gun was obviously disposed of by one of the shooters in the home robbery that happened across the street the night before.

But even with your logic, just because weapons detectors wouldn't stop a criminal in the community from using a school trashcan to dispose of a weapon overnight while school is out, why is that a reason to not minimize the odds of a student, staff member or parent from being in a weapon to the school during the school day?

That could have made a huge difference in the Richneck Elementary School shooting, where a student had a gun on him in the classroom and several students reported it to staff who reported it to admin but weren't believed: https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/newport-news/child-shot-richneck-teacher-admitted-shooting-court-documents/291-0ec45240-049e-44c4-b98a-c0c212ad5c66

Alternatively, we don't need to spend a gazillion dollars on metal detectors, we just need to improve procedures so that reports of guns are properly investigated. But that wouldn't enrich the manufacturers and sellers of metal detectors.

Well, they did search the student but didn't find it because when they called him down to the office, he didn't have it on his person but in his backpack. A weapons detector would have caught the weapon in his backpack.

So there goes that argument that policy and procedure alone is the answer. The truth is, we need every tool we can get.

Sorry. I misspoke. The school officials did search the book bag and didn't find the gun. They in fact do not know exactly where the gun was hidden, though you can imagine it must have been somewhere in the classroom.

Either way, the response to the school after the incident is to install metal detectors: https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/13/us/newport-news-virginia-shooting-friday/index.html

So maybe you should believe the people who've survived the trauma of gun violence in schools on why measures like weapon detectors are valuable to giving people a sense of safety and wellbeing instead of sitting on your high horse and living in the realm of theory rather than reality?

Except for the fact that everywhere this has been tried people found it didn't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metal detectors are better than nothing. I suspect those opposed don't have kids in MCPS. Our HS has been evacuated for multiple threats several times this year. This gives a sense of fear and kids question their safety. Why do we need to wait for an incident to get tighter with security? We've already had multiple incidents that put our kids and the staff at risk. When is enough enough?

Yes, let's spend tens of millions to install metal detectors everywhere that will help raise test scores!