AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Manor Independent School District started the school year with some new safety devices aimed at stopping violence within high schools.
The new technology works like a metal detector, but this device can accurately identify guns, knives and other weapons.
“We had a tragedy a year ago, obviously in the district, and we always want to improve our safety,” Manor ISD Superintendent Robert Surmany said.
Last October, an 18-year-old student was charged with murder after a classmate at Manor High School was stabbed to death.
“In talking to our community, we said, ‘You know there’s probably something we can do that’s more than that,'” Surmani said.
Al-Sourmani says the district has a contract with… Extract One Technologies Who helped install devices that scan people as they walk.
Currently, the devices can be found at Manor High School and the new Manor Technology School, but the district says it is looking at the possibility of adding more in the future.
“One of the nice things about hiring this company is that they have a new system that uses artificial intelligence to figure out what a cell phone is, so it won’t access those items that don’t need access,” Surmani said.
Manor ISD said so far they have not found any weapons on anyone entering the high schools.
This is a new system that can have some drawbacks, but overall it has improved safety, said Bobby Garcia, principal of Manor New Technology High School.
“On the one hand, it’s a little reassuring because we’ve never had this level of safety and security at our school. On the other hand, it’s a little heartbreaking,” Garcia said.
How does it work?
Manor ISD has devices installed at entrances and uses district staff to check bags and monitor the system.
It is possible for there to be false positives, and if this happens, staff will search the bags. But so far, no weapons have been found, according to the region.
If someone walks by with a gun, knife, or anything that looks like a weapon, the person monitoring the system receives an alert.
“They’re getting more detail on their tablets, specifically about location on the body,” said Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One.
Evans said previous metal detectors took time and could cause long lines, but this new technology allows people to get through quickly — and it’s safe.
“One of our schools has 66 kids a minute walking through it as if nothing happened,” Evans said.
The devices are being used in a number of schools, businesses and even the Moody Centre.