New safety measures considered for Montgomery County public high schools

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — New safety measures including the implementation of weapon detectors could be coming to Montgomery County public high schools.

The Chief of Security and Compliance for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Marcus Jones is in initial talks with vendors on the potential of buying weapons detectors for its county high schools, according to officials.

“The safety of our students and staff is a top priority,” MCPS wrote to DC News Now in a statement. “As part of his work, our Chief of Safety and Compliance is currently exploring various options that may enhance security in our schools and offices.”

The school district shared this is all part of “an initial step in identifying potential solutions to strengthen” their safety measures.

The move comes after Montgomery County police reported a student was arrested in October for bringing a gun to Walter Johnson High School.

“I think schools are not safe,” said Anthony, a high school senior living in Montgomery County. “I think that honestly, anywhere you go nowadays there’s like some danger.”

Students in the area said the pattern of bringing weapons to schools is a distraction from their learning. Though they agree more should be done to ensure the safety of students, they believe schools should focus on preventative measures such as counseling rather than adding security tactics.

“We should be able to be focused on our math, focus on how stupid our trigonometry test was, not what the quickest route of the building is,” said Martina, a recent high school graduate.

Young adults like Martina said they approve of MCPS discussing ways in which schools could be safer.

However, they’re asking MCPS to not consider adding metal detectors on campuses, a measure some high schools across the Washington Metropolitan have rolled out.

“It feels like an airport and like schools shouldn’t exactly feel like an airport,” said Martina.

The county’s board of education is expected to learn more about Jones’s safety proposals next Tuesday.

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