This morning, West Po students had to go through metal detection scanners to enter the building. Students were required to go to Door 1, 5, 19, which were filled with the scanners and security personnel.
FCPS is currently piloting this weapons screening system at randomly chosen schools. According to an email sent out on April 10, the system could be in place for one day or for several days. It’s unclear whether the pilot was put in place because of yesterday’s incident, or if it was a coincidence that it was put in place today.
These metal detection scanners can more accurately identify metal sources that may be harmful, instead of other types of metal. However, students must take their computers out of their backpacks and hand them to a staff member before walking through the scanners to not sound the alarm.
If the alarm sounds, students have to step to the side to determine the cause of the alarm. There is also a secondary screening that happens when the system alerts as a student passes through the first screening. If an unauthorized weapon or item is found on a student, the police will immediately take possession of it. The student can face disciplinary actions from the school, and potentially charges from the police.
When asked about her experience with the metal detection scanners today, Junior Debbie Burke said, “It was smooth for me, but then my sister got searched three times because they couldn’t find her perfume that was setting off the detector.”
She continues to add that, “The metal detectors are one step that I agree with. But, I think it made a lot of students late today.”
After first period, the metal detection scanners were no longer in place at the three entrance locations.
Security is still heightened at the school. Police officers and SROs can be seen outside of door 1, and standing in front of secondary doors that lead outside, preventing students from entering through doors other than Door 1.
The stabbing is still a subject of several news outlets. News crews and reporters were seen outside of the school this morning, and several West Po students have shared statements with the press.
The night following the stabbing, Principal Jessica Statz sent an email to parents, connecting with families and sharing information about FCPS safety and the weapons screening pilot system. She states “We will have an additional layer of safety tomorrow. As you may have heard, FCPS is piloting a weapons detection system. […] Tomorrow morning, the system will be at our school to screen anyone entering the building.”
Principal Statz ended her email with “I recognize that these moments pull us towards the darkness, but we must remain resolutely in the light. Tonight, we hold our children close and tell them we love them. We hold to the promise of a community that does not choose violence to resolve conflict and we pray for the families and all those directly impacted by today’s events.”
