Nettleton School installing metal detectors at sports complexes

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - After a 17-year-old boy was arrested for bringing a handgun to a basketball game, the Nettleton School District will implement new security measures this fall on the campus.

Superintendent Dr. Karen Curtner said Monday the district will install metal detectors at the school’s sports complexes.

As guests enter any sports arena, they and their items must be scanned.

This move was made in an attempt to protect both students and guests at sporting events.

Curtner says the new equipment will help slow down a potential threat.

“What we’re hoping is that you know if there is someone that comes on our campus and wants to harm somebody else that we can catch it before it happens,” she said.

At this time, she said there are no plans to install detectors at school entrances. Curtner believes the current in-school safety practices work well.

“We already have that buzz-in system,” she said. “We have all of our SROs stationed in areas that we feel like are open spots that someone might try to come in.”

Curtner expects the metal detectors to be installed by the end of the year.

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