Students try to hide the blades in their mouths, he added, but are usually caught when they try to talk. Kids will challenge you to see if your metal detectors do work, Futrell said, noting that safety officers confiscate five to six weapons a week. But they always seem to get caught. Clinton, one of five borough high schools with more than 1,000 students that does not have metal detectors, finds a weapon about once every two months, White said. It s mostly by one kid informing us, or a lot of these kids accidentally will drop it or accidentally have it exposed, White said.
Students caught with weapons face disciplinary action ranging from probation to expulsion.
Raymond Diaz, the school safety director for the Board of Education, said that while schools with metal detectors report more arrests and suspensions, it does not mean they are less safe.