ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — Rockingham County Schools are taking student safety to another level this school year, as they announced on Aug. 21 that all of their middle and high schools will feature new weapon detection systems made by manufacturer CEIA.
The CEIA OPENGATE looks similar to detectors you might pass through at a concert or sporting event. The new security system can quickly screen students without the need for them to remove their backpacks, purses or other bags.
"In today's world, ensuring the safety and security of our schools and our school families is paramount," RCS Director of School Safety Sean Gladieux said in a statement. "The addition of weapons detection systems is a proactive measure to enhance our district safety protocols and protect our students, staff, spectators and visitors."
WFMY News 2 was able to get an inside look at how the system works. Gladieux told us if the alarm is set off it will beep and alert school administrators through an app.
"The interconnect ability of the mobile app with the weapons deduction system. We would predominantly want those folks to be our principles our assistant principles, and our school athletic directors. Our SROs will be roving throughout the school. They may be at multiple checkpoints or they may be directing traffic so they would be called if they were needed over the radio," he shared.
The district said the weapons detection system will be used for entry into all sports games, The Booker T. Washington Learning Center and middle and high schools throughout the district.
"We feel this added layer of safety and security is beneficial to everyone," Gladieux said.
This news comes just a few days after an incident in another Triad school district. Officers found a student at Carver High School in Winston-Salem had brought a gun and live ammunition on campus.
Speaking to WFMY News 2 after the incident at Carver, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. pleaded for local schools to implement more safety measures to ensure things like this don't happen in the future.
"The time was yesterday for metal detectors to be in all of our schools," Kimbrough said. "I understand the cost, however, I can’t help wondering what price we will pay for not having them."
Some Rockingham County Schools began using the OPENGATE system during the 2023-24 school year. J.E. Holmes Middle was the first to do so back on Apr. 8, and county high schools have already started using them at their athletic events.
The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office is holding a safety briefing at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22 at Rockingham Middle School for those interested in attending.
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