Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Corona‑Norco Unified to pilot portable weapons‑detection gates at four schools
Summary
The district proposed a six‑month pilot of AI‑based 'Open Gate' detection units at four campuses, a rental costing just over $189,000 (13 units) with 80% of rental credited toward purchase; board members asked questions about sensitivity, staffing and throughput during a Q&A.
Corona‑Norco Unified School District staff told the board they plan to pilot a portable weapons‑detection system at four campuses to test operations, staffing and community response.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tomkins introduced Gary Kissen, who described the district’s preferred product as the Open Gate system. Kissen said the units use artificial intelligence to analyze shape and material density rather than acting as conventional metal detectors; the district would rent 13 units for six months to cover school entrances at Corona High, Santiago High, River Heights Intermediate and Elserto Middle School. Kissen said the rental would cost “a little over $189,000” and that the vendor will apply 80% of that rental cost toward a future purchase if the district chooses to buy the equipment.
Board members pressed staff on operational details. A board member asked how the system distinguishes ordinary metal objects from firearms; Kissen answered that the devices use AI and have adjustable sensitivity settings so the district can tune detection to balance throughput and sensitivity. Members raised whether items such as vape pens could be detected, how many staff would be needed to operate screening stations, whether entrances would need to open earlier to avoid long lines, and how the district would deter students who try to bypass screening.
Tomkins and Kissen said the pilot’s primary goals are to collect practical data: how long it takes to screen students in morning arrival, appropriate station placement, staffing needs and development of accompanying policy and communications. They emphasized the units’ portability as an operational advantage for sporting events and other campus gatherings because the units are battery‑operated and not hardwired.
No final procurement vote was requested at the presentation. District staff said they plan to begin the pilot at the start of the next school year and return to the board with pilot findings and a recommended policy based on operational results and community feedback.
Why it matters: The pilot would let the district test whether newer AI‑based screening devices can provide a faster, less intrusive alternative to traditional metal detectors while revealing tradeoffs in staffing and arrival procedures.
What’s next: Staff will conduct the six‑month pilot, gather operational metrics and public feedback, and report findings and recommendations to the board before any purchase decision.
