Introducing the OpenGate Weapons Detection System

TCSS Students and Families,

For the Tuscaloosa County School System, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. A safe environment is essential to learning, and we are constantly looking for ways to increase the security of our campuses.

Beginning this school year, the OpenGate Weapons Detection System will be in our TCSS intermediate, middle, and high schools and at admission gates to some school events. TCSS was able to purchase OpenGate with grant funding from the Alabama Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The systems will not yet be in our elementary schools, but we plan to add them as soon as possible, through future grant funding.

If you have attended a concert or sporting event in recent years, you have likely seen this system. Two freestanding pillars quickly screen people with bags, backpacks, and purses. The design detects metal objects that match pre-programmed characteristics. It is programmed to distinguish between everyday items and weapons. The OpenGate system is already in use at many schools across the country.

Each morning, students will walk through the OpenGate system as they enter their school. A staff member will supervise each point of entry. A visual and audible alert will sound if the OpenGate system detects something abnormal. The person entering will then be asked to place any bags, backpacks, or boxes on a nearby table and return to the scanner. If the individual successfully passes through the system, staff will check the items placed on the table.

If the individual fails to pass through the detection system a second time, a school administrator, at their discretion, may scan the individual with a portable scanning unit.

The OpenGate systems are mobile and can be moved as needed. This will allow us to use the systems at school events attended by visitors, such as games and open houses.

Please watch the video below to see the OpenGate system in use and hear from some of our TCSS school and district leaders about OpenGate.

There are many components to our school safety plan; the OpenGate system represents just one more layer. As with any new technology or program, there will be challenges and lessons to learn as we get started. However, anything to support the safety of our school community is worth it. We appreciate your cooperation, and we look forward to seeing our students back in school on August 8!

Sincerely,

Keri C. Johnson, Ed.D

Superintendent

Introducing OpenGate Weapons Detection from Tuscaloosa County School System on Vimeo.