FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence School District One students at West Florence High School can expect to go through metal detectors when they enter school.

Concerned Florence One parent, Mary Jones says she wants limited access to cars in parking lots during school hours and more security features. She says she would like to see things like working cameras and metal detectors.
“We just need a new way of doing things based on how the world is today,” said Jones. “As a whole, we need upgraded security for the whole school but that takes a lot of money and I realize that. It takes a whole restructuring of the school.”

After three students brought weapons or ammo to school last week district leaders say they heard parents’ concerns and moved the district’s mobile security unit to the school. 
 Dr. Lionel Brown, Florence School District One Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services says five years ago the district spent about $5,000 each on eight metal detectors. Florence One also bought seven hand wands with the ‘incident command center’.

Monday, the district moved its mobile security to West Florence. Teachers and staff were trained to use the devices. They learned how to use the district’s metal detectors and wands. Teachers also got to ask questions, many came from fearful students.
“It’s important to have those metal detectors so that we can ascertain whether or not there is someone that has a weapon that should not be in our schools,” Pam Little- McDaniel, Florence District One Public Information Officer.
 
The detectors can be moved throughout the district if needed at other schools or events but will start out at West Florence.
The district would not say when or where the detectors will be placed.
“There are some things that we cannot say that we are doing to make sure our students are safe,” said Little- McDaniel.

In addition, a safety consultant from Charleston will come train West Florence faculty and staff Tuesday.
Also, another Florence County Sheriff’s Office Student Resource Officer (SRO) will be assigned to West Florence High School the rest of the year.
“We urge the students to get to know the SROs and cooperate fully with them,” said Maj. Mike Nunn, Florence County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer.

The district wants students and parents to understand there is a zero-tolerance attitude of weapons on campus.

“We all need to police ourselves. Safety is everybody’s responsibility,” said Little- McDaniel. 

“We are serious about keeping our students safe. We also encourage parents to know what their children are doing. We encourage them to know what the children have in their cars. Talk to their children about safety.”
 
The district is also looking to purchase more metal detectors for other high and middle schools.