Cardinal News: Then & Now takes a look back at the stories we brought you over the last 12 months. Through the end of the year, we’re sharing updates on some of the people and issues that made news in 2024. This installment: the use of weapons detectors in Henry County schools.
A year after its decision to explore the use of metal detectors and six months after testing weapons detectors, Henry County Public Schools has embraced detector technology, touting its ability to deter the presence of contraband on school grounds.
Ben Boone, the assistant superintendent of operations, praised the technology, calling it a net positive in bolstering school security.
“In my opinion, they have performed as intended,” Boone said about the detectors. He declined to disclose the number of weapons identified by the detectors.
“We cannot comment on any student-specific events, but a year later, most individuals know our procedures through communications sent to families letting them know about the use of weapons detection systems, and we believe they have been an effective deterrent,” Boone said.
Boone said that while the upfront costs totaled $404,495, maintenance-related costs are minimal.
December marks a year since the school division installed metal detectors at Magna Vista High School, Bassett High School, Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School and Laurel Park Middle School. The division added weapons detectors in June.
Weapons detectors should not be confused with metal detectors. Metal detectors spot objects made of metal, from non-weapons like phones and coins to guns and knives. Weapons detectors are geared toward identifying concealed weapons, including knives and firearms.
Originally, officials said the middle and high schools were ideal test locations, specifically because of after-school activities.
The detectors remain in place, and their use has been expanded, Boone said.
Originally, the detectors were used solely for sporting and other events, with plans to expand their use after a trial period. That trial period has ended, and the detectors are now used at all middle and high schools for entrance during the day and at after-school events for students and visitors, Boone said.
Henry County’s adoption of detectors was gradual and came after Collinsville’s Community Learning Center had its own system in place.
Other school systems make use of similar technologies. In March of this year, Alexandria rolled out its own metal detector system. This year Prince William County Schools also added detection systems.