Most people support ongoing weapons screening in Alexandria public schools

The Alexandria City Public Schools survey results are in, and it seems that most respondents are in favor of making the Weapons Abatement Pilot Program a permanent fixture at city high schools and middle schools. The school system itself also supports this move, citing a significant reduction in weapons-related incidents since the program’s implementation in May 2023.

Chief of Operations Alicia Hart presented the findings during a recent school board meeting, highlighting a 71% decrease in weapons-related incidents at secondary schools. The program utilizes weapons detectors, some of which use artificial intelligence, to prevent weapons from entering school premises. Currently, the devices are located at several high schools and middle schools in Alexandria.

While there was a push from parents and family members to extend the program to elementary and K-8 schools, the school system stated that there isn’t enough data to support this expansion at the moment. Hart emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making and mentioned that the school system will continue to study the feasibility and affordability of implementing weapons systems in all schools.

The school board is set to vote on the recommendations at its upcoming meeting on June 6. The future of the Weapons Abatement Pilot Program hangs in the balance, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting the board’s decision on whether to make the program a permanent fixture in Alexandria’s secondary schools.