Page 68 - Security Today, March/April 2025

C O V E R S T O R Y
FORT WORTH ISD STRENGTHENS EVENT SAFETY
A U T H O R : T O D D H O K U N S O N I M A G E : I S C H I E F C O U R T E S Y C O M M E R C I A L O F M E T R AS E N S
O F F I C E R AT M E T R AS E N S
T
he issue of concealed weapons being introduced into
school extracurricular activities, including sporting
events and graduations, became a growing concern in
communities across the nation.
According to the K-12 School Shooting Database,
there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school
grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths
and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety
protocols.
Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD), one of
Texas’s largest school districts with nearly 70,000 students across
140 schools, recognized this challenge and took proactive measures
to ensure the safety of its school community.
L AY I N G T H E F O U N D AT I O N : F O R T W O R T H I S D ’ S C O M M I T M E N T T O S A F E T Y A N D C O M M U N I T Y
Fort Worth ISD had long been dedicated to fostering an inclusive,
secure environment for its diverse student body. The district has em-
barked on numerous initiatives aimed at redesigning and revitalizing
its schools to better serve its community. Recognizing that safety
is integral to student success, Fort Worth ISD faced the challenge
of implementing comprehensive security measures while main-
taining the positive, open atmosphere essential for school events.
As part of its ongoing safety initiative, the district conducted
an extensive assessment of available security technologies to find
the most suitable option for its needs. The evaluation process
focused on key criteria, including accuracy, user-friendliness, and
non-intrusive functionality. With a commitment to preserving the
welcoming spirit of the campus, especially during extracurricular
activities, FWISD prioritized a security solution that did not disrupt
the event experience. The district sought an efficient screening
technology that could ensure safety without causing delays or
interfering with the flow of activities.
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