Beginning on Monday, Dec. 4, Parkdale began the use of the metal detectors for all people entering into the building, including students, staff, and visitors. Prior to the start of the implementation, students were given directions of how they are to prepare themselves before passing through the metal detectors.
These directions included having their Chromebooks outside of their clear bookbags to be passed to security, as well as umbrellas and binders, as students walk through the detectors. This procedure also applies to students returning from classes in the temporary classrooms outside.
The new metal detector machines can be found at the front of the school, and at two entrances of the cafeteria. Students are required to line up in the morning and enter in through the cafeteria detectors–with the exception of students in the Special Education department who are permitted to use the front door. Depending on their time of arrival, students may find themselves standing in line for quite some time.
Some students complained about the stress of standing in the line just to get through the metal detectors and also with the type of weather we currently have, making it difficult and uncomfortable to stand outside for a long period of time.
Nonetheless, others think it’s a necessity and should be taken seriously.
“I think the metal detectors should be effectively used,” said senior Glory Sharon. “The metal detectors are there but people see it as an ordinary machine where they can just pass through even when it’s beeping.”
According to NBC 4 Washington , clear bags and metal detectors were put in place in PGCPS schools for a reason.
According to the article, in July, an incident occurred where a 17-year-old was arrested after taking a loaded gun into a summer program at Central High School in Capitol Heights, roughly 15 minutes from Parkdale.
Because of this incident, PGCPS CEO Millard House announced that metal detectors would be installed in all high schools and eight middle schools, and also that all middle and high school students would have to carry clear backpacks so contents will be visible.
Mr. House addressed that the issue of guns in school could be deeper-rooted than just the firearm itself, adding that he’ll also address bullying and why kids carry guns to school.
“They don’t necessarily bring firearms to school to do harm,” he said. “They’re bringing firearms, in many cases, to protect themselves to and from school.”
