Schools’ weapon detection systems removed after 10 days

A pilot program at two Pinellas County high schools designed to detect weapons began April 7. At the time, administrators said the pass-through detectors would be in place through May 29.

Instead, they’ll be removed from school entrances this Friday, April 17.

“As a district, we’ve learned quite a bit from the implementation of this pilot,” Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said during Tuesday’s school board meeting, “in terms of logistical support and planning for successful deployment.”

The detectors are coming out “to be sure there’s no impacts as our high schools begin international, and then state testing, soon thereafter,” Hendrick said.

“Following the ‘school-based pilot,’” he continued, “the district safety and security team will pilot at some district events, and we’ll provide notification when we do so.”

He did not elaborate on the reason the on-campus part of the program was ended after 10 days.

Reportedly, the first few days of implementation at Palm Habor University High saw long lines and false alarms at the detectors.

School board member Laura Hine said during Tuesday’s meeting she had visited the Gibbs High campus that same morning, and discussed the system with staff and students.

Neither Hendrick nor Sean Jowell, PCS Director of Safety and Security, immediately returned calls requesting comment.

“The last thing I want, the last thing our team wants, the superintendent of the board, is to make it feel like a prison,” Jowell said April 6, as the pilot program was being launched. “We don’t want that.”