On April 9, 2025, Colonia High School implemented its first metal detectors for students to go through every morning. Now that almost a year has gone by, how has entering the school changed?
Metal detectors add an extra layer of protections for both students and staff. By screening student’s bags and pockets, the detectors can find potentially dangerous objects. However, the scanners aren’t always reliable and sometimes make mistakes.
What has changed?
Since the first day, Colonia High school has implemented new metal detectors that have a bag scanner attached. These were installed in the Fall of 2025. There has been a notable change with these new scanners as students have been able to get through quicker. With the original detectors, students had to have their bags checked by security guards. Now students can put their bags onto a conveyor belt that goes through its own scanner. “The speed and level of security has changed,” Carmella May, a Senior at Colonia High school shares.
On another note, students have to place all items like phones and keys into their bags prior to checking in. They are also informed to hold their water bottles through.
Benefits
Metal detectors keep students and staff safe. They can eliminate any potential threats to the safety of the people in the building. Without metal detectors, anyone could walk in with a weapon or something potentially dangerous.
It’s not just metal detectors that keep schools safer, but the security guards as well. The security guards can easily spot anything that might harm people.
The new detectors are quicker with scanning people. The process of getting into school in the morning is faster and easier.
Cons
The first week the metal detectors were implemented, a long string of students nearly wrapped around the school. Some students had to wait up to an hour just to walk in through the doors. Some barely even got to their first block class.
Even a year later, there will sometimes be a wait to get in, although it’s typically shorter and faster.
Since the start of the metal detectors, all water bottles that students bring have to be clear. Meaning no Stanleys, Owalas, or Hydroflasks unless they’re clear. This has upset lots of students who like to use their preferred water bottle. “I think it’s stupid. They just don’t want the hassle of having it go off in the metal detectors,” Mariella Spina, a Senior at Colonia High school states, “If I can bring in a metal Alani can than I should be able to bring in a metal water bottle.”
Clear water bottles do not keep water cold as long as insulated water bottles. So throughout the day, a student’s water turn to room temperature. Having cold water is crucial when exercising or in hot weather. According to verywellfit, cold water lowers the body’s temperature after exercise.
Errors and Mistakes
Despite being high technology, the metal detectors can make mistakes. Sometimes the scanners will go off on a person or their bag. In those cases, the student has their bag inspected by a security guard or they have to get wanded. This can create extra stress and time wasted for the student. Usually, the person doesn’t have anything harmful on them.
