After deadly stabbing, some Wake students wish schools would use metal detectors
The deadly stabbing at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School is once again raising the discussion about Wake County school security.
For more than a year, WRAL Investigates has tracked high-tech security measures in local school systems – but not Wake County.
In at least six school systems in our area, students are screened when they walk through their school doors. Wake County is not among those.
Wake students sound off on desire for more safety at school
District leaders have not publicly expressed much interest in the technology., but students who spoke with WRAL News said they hoped that will change.
"Definitely I think something is better than nothing," said Connor Douglas, a student at Broughton High School. "Just having nothing is just not good enough."
Douglas believes the cost is worth it because it could save lives.
"We can't have people dying on school campuses because of stabbings," he said.
Yobany Rodriguez, another student at Broughton, said, "Schools need a lot more protection."
When asked if he believes a deadly incident could happen at his own school, Broughton student Luis Vega said, "Absolutely. Any time. A gun. Any day."
Evolv metal detection system seeing good results in surrounding counties
While no system is foolproof, school leaders are debating whether an ounce of prevention is worth millions of dollars in tech upgrades.
The state's second largest school district, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, was the first in the state to install A-I weapons detectors from a company called Evolv.
On the first day of implementation a firearm was found through the Evolv system. It was in a student’s backpack.
The system started with just high schools and quickly noted the impact.
Before Evolv, 31 students were caught with firearms After the installation, that number dropped to 7.
The cost to equip Charlotte's 180 schools: $19 million over four years.
That amounts to about $125 dollars per student.
Granville, Nash and Johnston counties, which share a border with Wake County, are using detectors already. Edgecombe County is also using the Evolv system.
In Person County - since rolling out in the spring - zero weapons have been found. Johnston County has two weapons detectors for each of its 48 schools. The total cost: $6 million. Based on size, it could cost Wake about 4 times that - roughly $24 million.
Ron Anthony, the deputy superintendent for Person County Schools, says the investment has been worth it.
"We've gotten positive feedback from the community," he said. "Number one priority is safety for our students."
He said it's also helped prevent disruption of classroom time.
Person County received a grant to fund it through the state.
"We do know that it is a deterrent because of the weapons detection system being in place and the signage that we have," he said.
In the past Wake County leaders have pointed to a 2021 safety assessment they had done by a third party. It did not recommend weapons detection systems.
We don't know if this topic came up again in today's school board meeting about safety - because they went behind closed doors for the discussion.
