SALEM, Ore. — Salem-Keizer School District is considering installing metal detector systems across all high schools. This comes a week after a South Salem High School student, Jose Vasquez-Valenzuela, was shot and killed at a nearby park.
Superintendent for Salem-Keizer schools Andrea Castaneda said starting last fall, the district began exploring weapon detection systems as an additional layer of security for all high schools.
She originally planned to introduce the detectors in the spring or fall, but after the tragedy last week, she thinks immediate action is necessary.
"I feel like it’s the right step towards the right idea," said Josue, a freshman at South Salem High School. "I feel like they are taking precautions, and that’s the most important thing."
Castaneda said the weapons detection systems they’ve been exploring are specifically designed for schools. She explained that these systems allow for multiple people to walk through these devices with little to no disruption.
“In the email that they sent to us, they said it would be rapid," said Josue. "They said it wasn’t going to affect our schedule of us going in and out.”
Treva Teeples, who walks her dog every day at Bush’s Pasture Park where Valenzuela was killed, said she once had kids in the district and thinks no one should have to go to school feeling uneasy.
"The kids need to be safe in school, even if they have to cut out something else," said Teeples. "They’ve cut out things over the years. They can figure out."
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Salem-Keizer schools said they are inviting students and families on March 22 to view the weapon screening systems they are looking into.
Right now, the district said they do not know where the funding for these detectors will come from or how many units are needed.