By In an ongoing effort to enhance student safety, Houston Independent School District (HISD) is introducing the Open Gate weapons detection system across all high school campuses. This initiative is part of the district’s comprehensive safety strategy, which includes campus-based HISD PD officers and the Raptor Technologies security platform. The goal is to ensure that students can learn in a secure environment without fear of safety threats.
The launch of the system begins in January 2025 and will be completed by May 2025. Initially, the technology will be implemented at campuses with a history of firearms-related incidents, and once fully operational, students, staff, and visitors will enter through designated entry points, where they will pass through security scanners and have their laptops removed from backpacks for scanning.
Secondary screenings will follow if prohibited items are detected during the initial scan. “Our goal is to ensure that these systems do not interfere with the learning environment at our campuses,” said Superintendent Mike Miles, joined by Chief Shamara Garner. HISD will also notify families 1-2 weeks before each campus implements the system, hosting community meetings to answer questions and outline new entry procedures. Families will also be informed about what items might trigger secondary screenings and how to avoid them.
According to internal safety data and national research, high school campuses are the most critical areas for implementing such systems. The Open Gate system is already used in 48 other Texas school districts and various public venues. HISD is confident that this technology will boost campus security without disrupting the educational experience. “All of these pieces work together to keep your students safely in school, and dangerous contraband out of school” remarked Superintendent Miles and Chief Shamara Garner.
