Colleton County School District to Implement Weapons Detection System
The preservation of high safety standards is very important to the Colleton County School District. Accordingly, we are committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, while maintaining an uninterrupted and positive learning environment. One of the primary concerns on the local, state, and national front is the possibility of a weapon being on school grounds. To further prevent weapons from entering our district, we have purchased and installed Weapons Detection Systems at Colleton County Middle School and Colleton County High School.
The Weapons Detection System uses powerful sensor technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safer, more accurate threat detection at unprecedented volume and speed. Students are able to walk through the detection system without having to stop to remove personal items like cell phones or keys; this allows them to begin their day with less interruption while engaging positively with school staff. All individuals entering the schools will be scanned by the Weapons Detection System, including parents and staff members.
The system alerts staff to a potential threat by identifying questionable items with a red box around the suspicious area on the viewing screen. For example, it will place a red box around a book bag a student is carrying if there is an object in the bag that triggers a system alert. This ‘specific location’ notification process saves time during the secondary screening and does not immediately require a search of the student.
If an item triggers an alert, the student will move to a secondary screening location (table) just past the system location. If the alert is associated with a bag, the bag will be searched for weapons; if the alert is indicated on the student (i.e. pocket), the student will be asked to remove items from their pockets and proceed back through the system. If a deeper search becomes necessary, the student will be taken with at least two staff members to a secure location out of sight of the rest of the student body for further screening and search, as deemed necessary.
We invite parents/guardians and our community members to come to Colleton County Middle School on Wednesday, January 24th or Colleton County High School on Thursday, January 25th from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm to see the Weapons Detection System in action, and ask questions to better understand the process..jpg "Bookbag & School Supplies")