WASHINGTON, N.C. (WITN)—Many residents say they welcome the addition of new security measures in one Eastern Carolina school district.
On Wednesday, students and staff were greeted by metal detectors at middle and high schools in Beaufort County.
School officials say they are intended to deter individuals from bringing inappropriate or dangerous items on campus.
Cierra Myers, parent to a middle schooler, says the metal detectors will make the classroom safer for learning.
“The kids, just easing them in school and the teachers are not aware because they are focused on education and just didn’t think that would be a problem,” says Myers.
School officials say the metal detectors will be used on an intermittent basis at various entry points and locations throughout the building.
Ray Midgett says they are needed in times like this.
“We’ve had so many shootings in schools and I think that’s probably the least resistance we’re gonna have to a solution a possible solution to the problem of school shootings,” says Midgett.
School officials say if the metal detection system alerts officials, the individual will be subject to a secondary search by school administration or law enforcement and those with prohibited items will be subject to disciplinary measures.
Myers says she is glad her child will be even more protected.
“Metal detectors will kind of lighten the load of them coming in with guns and vapes and all types of unnecessary items,” says Myers.
School officials say metal detectors may also be used at athletic events and other after-school activities, and participants and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for screenings.
WITN reached out to Beaufort County Schools to find out which locations have the new metal detectors, and they say the announcement will be made on Thursday.
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