Weapons detection system to be installed in Muscogee Co. middle and high schools

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — New weapons detection systems will be installed at middle schools, high schools and athletic facilities throughout the Muscogee County School District, the board announced at a school board meeting Monday.

The district says the weapons detection initiative is an important layer of security which will be rolled out throughout the school year. This comes as a part of the MCSD’s 2024 E-SPLOST initiative, a 1% sales tax that voters elected for last year.

Chief Operations Officer Travis Anderson explained the county’s “Enhanced Campus Safety Initiative” at Monday night’s school board meeting.

The district says the detection system is intended to allow for minimal disruption that allows students to walk through without emptying bags unless an alert is triggered. Students will walk between sensors with backpacks, purses, lunch bags and instruments. They are asked to remove large metal objects from bags such as laptops, large water bottles, etc.

All visitors and students will enter middle schools, high schools and athletic facilities through the weapons detection systems. Anderson included the system will not be active on the first day of school, but will be a slow rollout until the end of September.