As Weapons Screening Considered In Alexandria Schools, Survey Opens

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As a pilot program on weapon screening through metal detectors is considered at Alexandria City Public Schools, a public survey opened Friday.

ACPS is considering a pilot program with weapons screening technology at Alexandria City High School's King Street and Minnie Howard campuses, George Washington Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School. On Feb. 2, the Alexandria City School Board gave approval to proceed with community engagement for the program.

The pilot program is intended to address safety concerns on school campuses. The pilot program could join other safety measures introduced at the start of the school year, which include an ID requirement for students at middle and high schools, designated entrances to control access, a staggered dismissal process for high school campuses and supervised lunch blocks for high school campuses.

"The use of weapons screening equipment within our schools will support in the reduction of weapons entering our school facilities," said Alicia Hart, ACPS chief of facilities and operations, in a statement.

According to a previous presentation to the School Board, the screening equipment would scan individuals to find concealed items. If the screening equipment would produce an alert, the individual would get secondary screening. If no alert would be produced, the person would proceed to the ID check or visitor check-in process.

The technology would look similar to screening equipment used in stores or libraries. The cost would be $60,000 for each affixed system unit and $13,000 for a mobile unit.

The survey is open through March 8. It asks respondents if they support weapons screening equipment in all schools, just middle and high schools, or do not support it. Respondents can share reasons if they support the equipment.

Survey results will be presented to the school board on March 16. A board decision to proceed with the pilot program is also expected in March.

If approved, equipment will be sought in March and April with installation slated for April. Under the anticipated timeline, the launch of the weapons screening program would happen in May.