Broward implements school metal detector pilot program

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Broward County School Board approved a measure Wednesday to implement metal detectors at 10 district high schools following recent incidents of weapons being brought to schools.

“Today’s vote by the board to implement metal detectors, including with a pilot in two schools, one in my district, is a positive step, ensuring safety of all our students and employees,” board member Torey Alston told Florida’s Voice.

The pilot program, beginning at Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines and J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs, will start during summer school. Eight additional schools are then expected to receive metal detectors by the start of the school year in August.

CEIA OpenGate is expected to install the metal detectors at an initial cost of $540,000.

“Because we’re starting a pilot with two in the summer schools to get our staff trained appropriately, we’ve been working in a different county to try and figure out their mistakes so we don’t make the same mistakes,” Broward Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata said.

Currently, similar metal detectors are being used at Palm Beach County schools. Licata said Broward’s pilot program was being implemented due to weapons being found in district schools.

“We originally just started going with just pure data over the last two years for weapons that were found,” Licata said.

Backing Licata’s point, board member Dr. Allen Zeman said 220 weapons were found last year in Broward schools.

“That’s not acceptable. We must do something. This is one layer of a safety and security system, it isn’t the answer to everything,” Zeman said. “There’s too many weapons coming into our schools. Our children don’t feel safe. Our parents don’t think that our kids are safe. This is a critical step in the right direction.”

Along with weapons, Licata mentioned the “pluses” of detecting other items.

“It has reduced the amount of vapes on campus significantly,” Licata said. “It will detect that metal and student do not want to get caught with vapes.”

Overall, Broward has more than 30 district high schools. Licata is hoping all high schools have metal detectors by next school year.

Board member Brenda Fam speculated more data was needed before reaching a final decision.

“This is probably one of the most critical decisions we are making when it comes to student safety. I take this very seriously,” Fam said. “For us to purchase a system without knowing exactly what it can do or what other systems can do I think is putting the horse before the cart. We are buying something blindsided and putting our faith in other people in order to rely on their opinions.”

Currently, the district conducts random checks with hand-held metal detectors, called “wanding”.

“This is not the end all, be all. We don’t give guns or knives and weapons or drugs out at campus. That’s not what we do on campus,” Licata said. “They come from outside, and this is one layer to protect them from coming outside. We need parents also to be actively involved in knowing what comes to school everyday as well with their students.”