Chesterfield County schools to install stronger security measures ahead of upcoming school year

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Stronger security measures are being put in place at some Chesterfield County schools this summer.

Currently, when entering any school in Chesterfield, visitors get buzzed in through the first door that’s monitored by a camera. But by the time school starts back up in August, they’ll now be required to walk into what’s called “a vestibule.” It’s like a lobby but has two controlled doorways on either side.

“It will ensure that all of our visitors come in the front door and go directly to the front office to obtain their credentials that they might need before proceeding into the school or having someone to come and meet them,” said Josh Davis, Chesterfield County Public Schools Chief Operating Officer.

Once visitors make it inside the vestibule, they will then have to scan their ID through a system called “RAPTOR” that performs a brief background check on the individual.

“The process should be the same at all of our schools, but this physical barrier now ensures that the process takes place correctly,” Davis said.

Davis explained that Chesterfield County’s newer schools already had this system in place. He said they’re working on installing them at the schools that didn’t by the time school starts back up.

“We’re working on 38 schools. Twenty-one of them were completed either last summer or during one of the holiday breaks. So, we’ve got 17 more to finish,” he said.

Davis said the project will cost about $4 million but is necessary to help keep all students and staff safe.

“We want to be warm and welcoming, yet secure,” Davis said. “So, this project helps us be more secure with the physical infrastructure that we need together with the people that help run the building and the technologies that assist in enabling them.”

Chesterfield County schools go back in session on Aug. 19.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.