How Metal Detectors Could Work at LGISD
To the editor:
When I spoke to the school board on July 18, I used the word “all” schools in Houston had metal detectors at their football fields back in 1994 when we moved to La Grange, but of course it was not “all.” I should have said “several” schools.
I would like to add to what I was going to say on July 18 (before my 5 minute time limit ended). The staffing issue...it seems that during rush times (as the children are entering before school begins) that staff could man the entrance at each school, along with parent and community volunteers and a law enforcement officer. So, what happens when the alarm goes off?...I envision the staff or volunteer to pull that person aside (just like what happens at airports) and figure out what caused the alarm to go off. It might be their belt buckle, some jewelry, etc. And then the person would go back through the metal detector without the item, and then they would put it back on. YES, this will be a time-consuming process, especially at the beginning of the school year, but I am 100% sure that our children’s and teachers’ safety is worth it. And as the school year progresses, I think the children will learn to come to school without those metal items on, and maybe have them in a clear ziplock bag that they hand around the metal detector to the staff or volunteer person before they go through, and then retrieve them after they go through successfully. What happens if a student resists being taken aside? That is why the law enforcement officer is there, to handle that situation.
What about the rest of the day, when only a few folks enter the buildings? The entrances still need to be manned, but I don’t know the solution exactly. I’m sure the school safety committee could use what they learn from other schools they contact. And I’m sure that if we worked together and brainstormed as a community, we could come up with great ideas that would work for LGISD specifically. There might be enough concerned citizens here in the school district that would be willing to volunteer a certain time each week to help at the school entrances. (I would definitely be one of those). And I have read in some places that retired military and retired law enforcement officers have volunteered to keep their schools safe.
This same type of process could be used at all events such as sports, band concerts, etc. at the sport field entrances and the gym entrances and the auditorium entrances.
I just really hope that LGISD will go a step beyond the measures they have taken this summer, (including the clear back packs plan), to protect our students and teachers. Have a Jesus day!
Jan Hill
La Grange