On January 13, 2025, a metal detector search was conducted for all students entering HSTAT in the morning. Students throughout the school appeared shocked and confused by the situation. Questions and commotion spread across the building among staff and students, with students arriving extremely late to class and many facing a seemingly never-ending line outside the building to get in.
A letter was sent out to HSTAT students’ parents on September 5, 2024, stating that students would, “on some days,” undergo scans similar to those at an airport. Many people feel violated by airport scanners, believing their privacy is compromised and that they are searched without reason. However, many students recall never seeing this letter. Is it appropriate to implement such measures in a school with students of diverse ages, backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences with these scanners?
There are varied perspectives on whether metal detectors are effective and worth implementing in schools. Some believe metal detectors enhance security wherever they are used and are highly effective, but evidence suggests otherwise. In an article “Are Metal Detectors Effective at Making Schools Safer?”, written by Jaclyn Schildkraut and Kathryn Grogan, it is noted that the majority of students feel less safe in schools with these scanners than in schools without them. Given the apparent negative outcomes outweighing the positives, is there really a need for permanent implementation?
When speaking with students about the matter, many described the situation as “a mess” and felt uncomfortable due to the “overwhelming amount” of police officers present. With frequent reports of police brutality and biased treatment toward certain groups, the presence of numerous officers might spark fear, particularly among minority students. An anonymous 12th-grade student at HSTAT described the procedure as having to place his hands on a table and lift his leg while being scanned. Another 11th-grade student reported being patted down multiple times. This student arrived at school early, was at the front of the long line for the scanner, and noted that, even after entering the building, his class was empty 20 minutes later.
Staff members, when questioned on the day of the search, also appeared visibly confused, citing various reasons for the event. Some claimed it was a random search, others mentioned a rumor that someone had brought a weapon into the building prior to the search, and some admitted they had no knowledge of the reason. What was the truth, and why were students left uninformed? Rumors swirled among students, with many hearing that the search was prompted by a student bringing a weapon to school.
Staff members consistently described the situation as chaotic, with students arriving to class very late. Some students passed through quickly, while others were pulled aside for thorough checks. Some were even taken to a separate room for private questioning, causing further chaos and frustration. An anonymous HSTAT staff member shared, “Some students were freaking out, some were frustrated, some didn’t care, and some were pulled aside, had their bags searched, and were spoken to.”
When asked why certain students were pulled aside for private talks, a staff member mentioned that it involved items found in their bags but, upon follow-up, stated they “could not disclose that information.” This secrecy raises questions: Why were some students singled out? Was there a specific motivation behind these actions? Many questions about the true purpose of the metal detector search at HSTAT remain unanswered, suggesting possible underlying factors that have not been disclosed. Despite good intentions, metal detectors continue to prove ineffective in certain contexts, and many at HSTAT agree.