Starting this summer, walk-through metal detectors are being introduced at two Broward County public high schools: J.P. Taravella and Charles W. Flanagan.
On Friday, BCPS announced that “at the start of summer school, BCPS begins using walk-through metal detectors as an added layer of protection for students and families. The two schools participating in the summer session rollout are Charles W. Flanagan High School and J.P. Taravella High School.”
The plan is to have walk-through metal detectors in all 31 Broward County public high schools, including Parkland’s Stoneman Douglas High School, by the 2024-25 school year.
According to district officials, the technology employs artificial intelligence to differentiate between harmless items like cellphones and keys and prohibited objects like firearms and knives, eliminating the need for students to remove backpacks or undergo extensive searches.
Safety a concern in Broward schools
The conversation surrounding metal detectors has been ongoing in Broward, particularly in the aftermath of the tragic 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Since then, the district has implemented various security enhancements, such as increased armed officers, restricted visitor access, and mandatory student ID badges.
Previously, resistance to widespread metal detector use was rooted in concerns about cost, delays, and effectiveness.
But back in April, former Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata expressed optimism, citing a successful trial in Palm Beach County schools, where he was the superintendent.
The Palm Beach County Schools Police Chief Sarah Mooney confirmed that no weapons have been found at any of the schools using metal detectors, further supporting the effectiveness of the program.
With an estimated cost of $1.3 million for full-scale implementation, financing the project poses a challenge for the county. However, board members have assured stakeholders that funds will be sourced from the district’s capital budget, prioritizing student safety as a paramount concern.
Read: Broward County to introduce walk-through metal detectors in all public high schools this fall
