School Division Safety

Safety is on everyone’s mind. Henrico County Public Schools and the Henrico County Police Division work together to ensure that our schools are secure places where students and staff members can focus on teaching and learning. Henrico County schools have robust multilayered safety practices in place, but HCPS and Henrico Police are always working to strengthen safety. Some ways HCPS and Henrico Police are working to keep schools secure:

• School resource officers: Henrico Division of Police officers are assigned to HCPS schools to deter crime, conduct investigations and enforce Virginia law. School resource officers work in tandem with school security officers, who are school division employees.
• More school security officers: HCPS is hiring more of these staff members to help ensure the safety and security of the learning environment.
• Weapons scanners: High-tech weapons scanners are being phased in at all HCPS schools. The decision followed extensive public input and field-testing.
• Enhanced entryways: All schools have cameras and “buzz-in” systems at their entrances, and visitors undergo an enhanced sign-in process requiring a photo ID. Secure vestibule entryways were constructed at some schools to provide a buffer to instructional areas.
• Building security: Security measures at HCPS schools include recent security camera upgrades; emergency radios at all schools; monitored intrusion alarm systems at all facilities; controlled access to secondary entries and building areas; digital maps of HCPS schools to assist first-responders; and increased police canine sweeps of HCPS buildings.
• Emergency response protocols and training: School resource officers, school security officers and school administrators undergo regular emergency training, and administrators review procedures with staff members. In accordance with Virginia law, schools conduct safety drills to prepare for a range of possible emergencies, including fire, tornado and intruders.
• Threat-assessment teams and campus safety audits: Both Henrico Police and HCPS have threat-assessment teams, which are called in to assess individual situations. They also perform yearly school safety audits.
• Crisis response teams: At each school, a team of administrators, security personnel, educators and school-based mental health professionals reviews campus safety plans each year. Team members undergo special emergency training.
• Rapid notification system: HCPS uses a mass communications tool to communicate directly with parents, guardians and staff members about emergencies and important developments. The system can send messages via text, phone and email.
• Web safety tools: While HCPS uses software to filter inappropriate content from laptops and other devices, the “Securly” system also monitors searches for keywords or phrases that might indicate that someone could be a threat to themselves or others. Information is referred to relevant emergency managers, administrators or mental health professionals.
• “Handle With Care”: This program helps schools identify and serve students affected by violence and trauma.
• Anonymous Alerts: This mobile tool enables students, families, staff and community members to easily communicate with school administrators about safety concerns — from threats and bullying to worries about classmates who may be depressed.

In 2023, $5 million was made available to fund all recommendations of a Blue Ribbon Safety Panel, including:

• Additional card readers for exterior doors at schools with some campus-style elements.
• More card-swipe readers for first responders.
• Additional walkie talkies.
• Consistent signage numbers on exterior windows.

Your child’s safety is just as important at home. Some ways you can help keep your child safe:

• Secure weapons at home. In a study of school shooters, the U.S. Secret Service found that 76% of attackers acquired a firearm from the home of a parent or other close relative. In half of the cases involving firearms, guns were readily accessible or not secured in a meaningful way.
  • Keep firearms disassembled and in a locked home safe. Cable locks and trigger guards are also an option.
  • Get a free gun safety lock. The Henrico County Police Division participates in Project ChildSafe, which distributes free cable-style gun locks and safety instructions. For more information, contact Henrico Police at 804-501-4838.
• Secure weapons in your car. In 2022, Henrico Police crime data shows that, on average, a firearm was stolen from a vehicle every 36 hours in Henrico County.
  • Lock your vehicle. Sixty-five percent of guns stolen from cars were from unlocked vehicles.
  • Keep firearms disassembled and in the trunk. If you must leave a gun in a car, use a cable lock or trigger guard and secure the weapon in the trunk, disassembled. If you don’t have a trunk, disassemble the gun and hide the parts from view.
  • Vehicle safes are another choice. Choose one that requires a key or code to open.
• Prioritize digital safety. Social media and the internet play a big role in our lives. Make sure your children are aware of the risks and help protect their privacy. Some tips from the U.S. Department of Justice:
  • Discuss internet safety with children and teach them to spot red flags. Encourage open communication.
  • Supervise young children’s web use. Periodically check their posts and profiles. Keep electronic devices in common areas.
  • Review all games, apps and social media sites before children download or use them. Adjust privacy settings and use parental controls.
  • Tell children not to share personal information, photos and videos in public forums or with people they don’t know in real life. Explain that online images are permanent.
  • Teach children about boundaries, including the importance of saying “no” to inappropriate requests. Be alert to potential signs of abuse, including changes in children’s behavior or use of electronic devices, attempts to conceal online activity, withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety or depression.
  • Communicate. Encourage children to tell you or another trusted adult if anyone asks them to engage in sexual activity or other inappropriate behavior.
  • Report suspected online enticement or sexual exploitation of a child. Call 911, contact the FBI at FBI Electronic Tip, or file a report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or CyberTip Report. In addition to 911, you can contact the Henrico County Police Division at 804-501-5000.
• Medications and intoxicants: Keep prescription medications, THC gummies and other drugs away from children.
• No matter your concerns, mental health resources are available. Go to Henrico School Website and click “Wellness” for information about school and community resources for students and families.

How soon will the weapon scanners be in place?
With the start of the 2024-25 school year, weapon scanners are being used at all elementary, middle and high schools in Henrico County. This marks the first year that scanners will be used during student arrival at elementary schools. The technology was successfully implemented last year at middle and high schools.

Are the scanners the same as metal detectors?
The scanners are more sensitive than traditional metal detectors. That canner technology can more accurately identify metal sources that may be potentially harmful rather than sounding an alarm for all types of metal, such as coins.

What types of metal detectors are being used?
The scanners, developed by a company called OpenGate, are designed to screen large numbers of people, including their backpacks, quickly and efficiently. The free-standing scanners are portable and suitable for indoor and outdoor use, making them a good choice for open-style campuses and traditional school buildings.

There will be adjustments to arrival as students become familiar with the process. Still, it is essential that the entire school community participates.

Who will pass through the detectors and what is the process?
All students will pass through free-standing body scanners one at a time. Students with laptops must remove them from their backpacks and hand them to a staff member who will return the device once the student has passed through the scanner.

If the alarm sounds, the student will empty their pockets and pass through the scanner again. If the alarm continues to sound, the student will step to the side to be scanned by a trained staff member using a wand. Although the wand does not touch the person, it makes noise when it detects metal. Bags and backpacks will also be searched as needed.

Visitors to school campuses will pass through scanners at the main entrance vestibule.

Who is operating the metal detectors/scanners?
A team of trained administrators, school resource officers, school safety officers and members of the HCPS safety team will manage and monitor the entry process.  

What if a weapon or illegal substance is found?
If a weapon or illegal substance is found, police will take possession of it immediately. The person bringing the item(s) onto school property will face potential charges by police and disciplinary action by the school aligned with the HCPS Code of Student Conduct.

What resources are available to students or employees who are anxious about the metal detectors?
Families are encouraged to talk with students about the addition of scanners before the start of the school year. Demonstrations will be held at secondary school open house events and a video is available online.  Elementary school principals will work with their PTAs to arrange for an in-person demonstration of the devices before they are used at individual schools.

School counselors are prepared to support and assist students experiencing anxiety over new arrival procedures; employees with concerns or anxiety should speak with their supervisor or contact the Employee Assistant Program offered through the school division’s health benefits.

What if I don’t want my children to participate in the field test?
To be effective, it is essential that the entire school community follow all safety protocols including arrival procedures using the scanners. If your child cannot pass through the metal detector for medical reasons, please contact the school nurse or the principal. Otherwise, the expectation is that all students will follow staff directions regarding this important safety matter.

What if a student refuses to pass through the detector/scanner?
Students who refuse to go through the detector/scanner will be removed from the area and searched by an administrator and the SRO. If the students refuse this search, their parents will be called and the students will be sent home. 

According to HCPS Policy (P6-04-003/P6-04-003 R), students who refuse will not be allowed in the building and will face disciplinary action aligned with the Code of Student Conduct. Adult visitors to the school who refuse to go through the scanner will be denied entry. 

What other safety measures are in place?
The use of scanner technology is just one part of the school division’s multilayered safety plan. Other measures include, but are not limited to:

• Technology and security equipment (cameras, sensors, alarms, web filtering, etc.).
• School resource officers (SROs) and school safety officers (SSOs) at secondary schools.
• School safety officers (SSOs) at the elementary level.
• Site-specific emergency response plans;
• Training for staff.
• Emergency drills for students and employees.
• Safety and security audits.
• Partnerships with police and first responders.
• The Anonymous Alerts reporting system.
• A rapid notification system to keep families informed.

With an ongoing focus on school safety and security, HCPS administrators strategically field-tested the use of metal detectors and weapon scanners and evaluated the need for additional safety personnel across the division. At the May 25, 2023 school board meeting, the HCPS Safety Team provided a summary of findings from the field test and input gathered through focus groups and a communitywide survey. To help build understanding, the division created this snapshot of the process and results. You can also review the full field test report.

School Safety and Security Update (video) | School Safety and Security Update ( Powerpoint presentation)

Final Report on the HCPS Safety Field Test and Community Survey