Baton Rouge Athena Weapons Detection

Baton Rouge PreK–8 School, Athena Partner on Weapons Detection System

  • By Matt Jones
  • December 07, 2022

Hosanna Christian Academy, a PreK–8 school in Baton Rouge, La., recently announced the installation of a new security solution on its campus. The school partnered with Athena Security to implement the Weapons Detection System, which detects guns and other weapons, against the backdrop of increased concern over violence in schools.

Athena Security’s Weapons Detection System is placed at building entrances and allows student traffic to flow through as normal. The school will focus its security efforts on adults and older children, according to a news release, and funnel them through a single point of entrance near the front office.

Baton Rouge Athena Weapons Detection
Photo courtesy of Athena Security

The technology uses metal detection and other sensors to pick up on the “type, shape, and size of metal in transit through the system to identify metallic threats immediately,” the news release reports. The next-generation technology prevents false positive with metallic items like keys and metal water bottles while alerting staff if it detects a potential threat.

“We wanted a system that passed the government standard for weapons detection, software to help our operations, and Athena was it. Athena was also very helpful in getting the system set up and our staff trained on the supporting software,” said Russell Marino, the school’s Executive Director. “Parent feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive. This is not your grandma’s metal detector. Parents like the system’s low profile, but more importantly, they like that it’s a proactive solution to create a save, friendly learning environment for their kids.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The 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. Read Now

  • From Safety to Strategy: How to Leverage Data Security In Higher Education

    Today’s higher education campuses function much like small cities. Each department works autonomously yet relies on shared resources to operate effectively. Since these departments often work independently, collaboration can be difficult, leading to inefficiencies. Read Now

Most   Popular