HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Horry County middle and high schools have had metal detectors for years, but the new technology system, called OpenGate, is still new to them.
Open Gate is a weapons detection system. Two will be installed at every middle and high school in Horry County, and one at each elementary school.
Before going through the gate system, students may keep their backpacks on, but they must remove their computers and binders or the security system will be triggered.
ABC15 was told that if the gate system is activated, students will be asked to empty their pockets and their backpacks will be searched.
Horry County Schools public information officer Lisa Bossier said they had to process about 48,000 students in just 40 minutes.
Bourcier said children and staff are adjusting well to the new changes, but like any back to school year, it will take time for everyone to get used to it.
“We're making sure there's enough capacity in the buildings as we're processing. Principals are learning a lot with these systems, how things work, how much staff they need to process students,” Bourcier said.
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While the change may still look different for middle and high school students, Horry County Elementary students have never experienced this type of security system before.
Jessica Frye has a son who attends Horry County Elementary School.
She said: “At first my husband wasn't keen on the idea just because it was a new thing. Sure, it would be nice to have that extra bit of security, but it's unfortunate that we have to resort to such options these days.”
Frye also said lines to get into schools were longer than usual this week.
“He normally walks in straight, but he can't do that anymore,” Frye said. “He knows that at his school his water bottle has to come out of his lunchbox or it has to be clear, and they don't allow three-ring binders because they set off metal detectors. It's kind of a learning curve.”