Fans who attend Friday’s homecoming football game will pass through metal detection devices before entering Russell H. Rupp field.
“I feel like having metal detectors at events should definitely occur,” senior wide receiver/defensive back Trey McNutt said. “All the protocols from before school should happen at games.”
Tomorrow will mark the first time in district history for walk-through metal detection. Since Sept. 19, the high school has increased security protocols. All students have undergone mandatory metal detection by wand and bag searches before entering the building.
The new security screenings were instituted after three weapons were discovered. Before the Sept. 13 home football game vs. Euclid High School, a tip led police to search and arrest an SHHS student who was carrying a handgun and attempting to enter. Another former student was caught with a knife after turning away from the entry point, where metal detecting wands were in use. On Sept. 18, a student wielding a knife outside the high school was disarmed.
According to a Sept. 25 email to parents from Principal Eric Juli, at tomorrow’s game, the district will use Metrasens devices to scan all spectators upon entrance. The product uses ferromagnetic detection to show the exact location of metal. According to the company’s website, the product allows users to “screen guests from a distance in a touchless, respectful way.” The device will scan attendees from head to toe as they walk past it.
According to Assistant Athletic Director Marc Enie, safety is the priority at athletic events. “Our number one goal is to make sure all of the players are 100 percent safe,” he said. Enie said the security changes will ensure safety for players and spectators “because we will be metal detecting people as they enter.”
Kim Harris, high school library technician, said that such security measures give some people pause. “Many parents are not comfortable knowing that Shaker is needing to resort to metal detection. It is a clear sign that things are not as safe as we would like to be for our children and school staff, but it is a reality,” said Harris, who is the parent of a high school student.
“I do not feel safe in the schools, and I do not feel safe for my son who is a student here,” she said. “Nor did I feel safe for my son who graduated last year. Many major changes need to take place that involve better communication, planning and leadership to get this school to be in a basic safe environment. This problem, I know, is not specific to Shaker but is a problem for many schools throughout the United States. But it is imperative to get it right.”
Sophomore Tatum Dangerfield said she will attend the game, when the Raiders will face Brunswick. She said, “It’s the homecoming game, and I want to be with my friends. I don’t think the new metal detectors will help that much. I still won’t feel safe, even with them there.”
Sports Writing Reporters Leila Cohen, Dayton Clarke, Claire Joyce, Trinity Littlejohn and Jaryn Marcus reported and wrote this story.
