Thursday, July 10, 2025–10:00 a.m.
-News Release-
A new high-tech weapons detection system will go into effect at all Rome City Schools elementary schools this fall.
The Opengate Weapons Detection System allows Rome City Schools to enhance the safety and security of our students, staff, and visitors by deterring and detecting the presence of weapons on our campuses.
This technology is one component of our comprehensive, multi-layered approach to school safety, which also includes emergency preparedness drills, mental health support, and a positive school climate.
All visitors and parents entering the school during the school day will be screened using the same process.
The portable Opengate System will also be used at the entrance to large after-school events, such as concerts or family nights, and will also be set up at high school sporting events.
“The safety of our staff and students is a top priority for Rome City Schools, and we know that adding the Opengate System further supports our Keeping Schools Safe Initiative,” John Fricks, Director of Instructional Technology, Safety, and Operations, said. “We will continue to work and implement emerging safety concepts at all of our schools so we can stay on the cutting edge in safety.”
Opengate is a state-of-the-art, walk-through detection system that is already in use in stadiums, arenas, theme parks, hospitals, and many school districts across the country. It is portable and can be used indoors or outdoors at athletic events and other school gatherings, providing a flexible and comprehensive security option.
The Opengate systems are designed to quickly and non-intrusively scan individuals for dangerous or prohibited items as they enter school buildings. This technology will help maintain the flow of foot traffic, minimizing delays during student drop-off and entry into school while ensuring a safer environment for all. Students and visitors will pass through the gates as they enter, with laptops or similar items removed from backpacks to prevent unnecessary alerts.
The Opengate detection system is just one part of a multi-layered approach to enhancing school safety. Rome City Schools continues to add and enhance security measures, including an
additional School Resource Officer at Rome High School, random safety patrols, campus perimeter patrols, participating in state-mandated safety drills, adding school administration managers at all elementary schools, instituting our stop the prop initiative, placing safety film on all exterior doors and more.
All eight Rome City schools were also awarded the Ready Georgia Seal of Preparedness for the 2024-2025 school year. Schools receiving the seal of preparedness met specific criteria that include emergency operations planning, drills and exercises, training, security technology, and data analysis. These criteria included emergency operations planning, drills and exercises, training, security interventions, safety technology, and data analysis.
Rome High School and Rome Middle School already have the Evolv Weapons Detection system in place and active. Rome City Schools was able to use safety funds earmarked from the state safety grant to purchase the systems.
