Marion safety director introduces Open Gate weapons-detection system at high schools

Dennis McFadden, executive director of safety and security for Marion County Public Schools, introduced the districtOpen Gate weapons-detection system and said it has been installed at all Marion County high schools.

McFadden said the systems "will be used periodically as students, staff, and visitors enter campus," and added they may also be used during after-hours events such as graduations and other school-sponsored activities. "Today, I'd like to introduce Open Gate Weapons Detection System," he said.

The district said students should approach the system and walk through at a normal pace while carrying backpacks or bags; in most cases people will pass through without stopping. McFadden introduced the acronym "BLUE" to help explain common items that can set off alerts: B for binders, L for laptops, U for umbrellas and E for eyeglass cases, noting these items "are not weapons, but certain materials inside them may occasionally cause the system to alert."

If an alert occurs, McFadden said the individual will be directed to a secondary screening area where trained staff will quickly identify the item that caused the alert. He described the process as "quick, respectful, and minimally disruptive" and framed the system as an additional step in the district's ongoing commitment to a safe learning environment.

"Thank you for helping us work together to keep our schools safe," McFadden said, closing the video.