The Houston Independent School District has started a rapid overhaul of its security system. Following recent gun threats and safety concerns, it introduced a new “weapons detection system” called OpenGate at Lamar High School.
HISD will implement the system on campuses where weapons were found in the last year.
Students are required to walk through the detection system with laptops in hand and backpacks on.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said during a press conference the weapons detectors can screen about 600 students in 30 minutes. He explained that a red light indicates the presence of a weapon or contraband. Those students will then have to proceed to additional screening.
“This is not a cure-all. The weapon detection system doesn’t mean you won’t have guns in the schools, but this is one more layer, and we’re being prudent about having these weapon detection systems placed in these schools.”
– Mike Miles
“Staffing will be a school-by-school issue,” Miles said. “That’s why we’re doing the drills. We’re doing the plans, going over their plans to see how they will be staffed. This is not a cure-all. The weapon detection system doesn’t mean you won’t have guns in the schools, but this is one more layer, and we’re being prudent about having these weapon detection systems placed in these schools.”
HISD called it a “smooth first day of implementation as students and staff passed through the open gate system to get into school.”
It’s a layered approach. We need kids to say something when they see something.
Rita Graves, Lamar Principal
“We let the kids know in advance what to expect, and they came through for us,” said Lamar Principal Rita Graves. “It’s a layered approach. We need kids to say something when they see something. We need to know about the things that are going on on the campus and help kids build relationships with adults so they feel safe coming to us when there’s an issue.”
HISD plans to implement weapons detectors at all campuses by May. Northside and Bellaire High Schools will be the next two to receive the new technology.
HISD Police Chief Shamara Garner said the school district received a grant totaling more than $1.9 million to pay for the systems.
While the technology started with high schools, Miles said it would expand to middle schools upon receiving additional funds.
Last year, seven students were arrested and charged in connection to threats from weapons.
