Indian River School District is purchasing weapon detectors for each of its two high schools.
Indian River School District is the latest in Delaware to invest thousands – almost $50,000 for itself – in equipment to ensure student safety.
The district is purchasing two weapon detection systems, one for each high school: Sussex Central High School and Indian River High School .
Each costs about $24,000.
“It is imperative that we ensure the safety of students, staff and community members at athletic events at our high schools,” said Jay Owens, district superintendent.
The systems will be present for certain high school athletic events, including football and basketball games, for the 2024-2025 school year.
They will help district staff identify prohibited items like firearms, knives and other weapons in order to remove them from the event.
The system uses low-frequency electromagnetic technology that does not impact medical or electronic devices, and they’re safe for children and pregnant women.
Weapon detectors in other districts
Last year, Appoquinimink School District and New Castle County Vo-Tech School District both purchased weapon detectors in the aftermath of several incidents involving guns being found on school grounds.
RELATED: Appo to lease weapon detectors amid schools’ focus on safety
“Implementing a weapons detection system at our athletic events such as football and basketball has been a positive change for our district,” said Amanda Conley, Appo’s director of safety, security and operations. “We’re grateful that our community has been patient and compliant with our new procedures, and we know that everyone is appreciative of the efforts we have taken to ensure our facilities remain safe.”
Appo spokeswoman Danielle Pro-Hudson declined to answer whether or not the system found weapons, but said it had definitely been a deterrent.
In New Castle County Vo-Tech, most of what has been detected and confiscated to this point has been items such as lighters, drug paraphernalia and pocket knives.
“The process was launched as a proactive measure, not in response to any threat or disruption,” said Alexis Andrianopoulos, the district’s public information officer.
For Indian River, specific screening procedures may vary depending on the school.
Anyone who is uncomfortable walking through the detection devices will be offered the option to pass through an alternative screening method.
Weapons are prohibited on all district properties except for those carried by police and district resource officers.
Indian River asks spectators to allow extra time to pass through the screening process when arriving for athletic events.
The process is designed to offer minimal inconvenience, said Owens.
“It is our mission to create a safe, respectful and enjoyable experience for all visitors to our campuses,” Owens said.
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