INDIANAPOLIS — The United States had 38 shootings last year at K-12 schools where someone was killed or injured, according to Education Week.
In response, more school districts like MSD of Lawrence Township are adding security measures to make sure weapons never come inside their schools.
Students now begin the day at every middle and high school in Lawrence Township by walking through a weapons detector as they enter the building. They hold their laptops above the detector, so as not to trigger an alert. But they don't have to empty their pockets or have backpacks checked. The Open Gate detectors are calibrated to pick up just sharp metal objects and metals used in weapons.
"We're the leader in this and showing that we're going to have a safe school, safe events,” said Jim Parish, Lawrence Township Schools' director of security. “That you're welcome to our school, but we're going to be safe. You don't have to worry about it."
"I think about safety a lot while I'm at school,” said Lawrence North High School junior Afia Zahin. “Every time you hear a really loud noise or bang, your heart kind of drops and everyone goes silent. I think it's a really heartbreaking reality of going to school in America. And these new systems of security have really made me feel more safe at school and knowing that people aren't bringing unsafe items into the school."
If something triggers the detector, the light on top of each tower turns from green to red with a beep sound. The student who set off the alert and their bags are rescreened to find the issue.
The detectors are being used at both Lawrence North High School and Lawrence Central High School, as well as the middle schools in the district. So, every student grades 7-12 is screened every day. The detectors are also used for visitors and for anyone attending an athletic, extracurricular or other after school events.
"I feel like it definitely makes us a lot safer and it like makes me feel safer,” said Brodin Dechert, a sophomore at Lawrence North High School, “Coming into L.N. as a school, I feel like I don't really have to worry."
Dechert’s mother completely supports the move.
"I think it is a positive step that says to our kids and our community that we take safety seriously,” said Pam Dechert. “Is it sad? You know, it's a broader issue than just safety in the school. So, it's not sad. I think what it does is address where we are in the United States in terms of protecting our kids from gun violence."
The detectors cost about $18,000 per unit. The school district spent about $350,000 to buy the detectors.
The screenings began Jan. 26. At Lawrence North High School, it took 30 minutes to get all 2,400 students through the detectors on the first day. But Parish said they have already trimmed 10 minutes off that time and students and staff are getting quicker and more efficient with the process each day.