Weapon scanners, SSOs, and the plan to make Henrico schools a safer place for students

All Henrico County Public Schools will soon have weapon detection scanners as an added security mechanism, with some schools projected to have the scanners installed by the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Following months-long field testing using metal detectors, wands, and weapons scanners at a variety of schools, as well as the county collecting feedback through focus groups and county-wide surveys, all Henrico County School Board members said Thursday they were on board with plans to install scanners.

According to a survey completed by nearly 7,000 parents and staff, roughly 75% said visible safety measures like the scanners would make them and their families feel safer.

Current plans would place roughly 70 scanners across all high schools, 60 scanners across all middle schools, and 100 across all elementary schools, based on campus layout, number of entryways, and other factors.

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