Houston Independent School District police chief says active discussions underway about metal detectors in schools after stabbing incident

HOUSTON – A day after a student was stabbed during a fight with another student at Houston ISD’s Sterling High School, HISD Police Chief Shamara Garner spoke about the district’s security protocols and what they’re doing to keep children safe.

“I know that as a nation, families are concerned about the safety of their children while they are at school. Here in Houston, recent events, guns found on campus, threats on social media have raised concerns,” Garner said.

She said the department shares parents’ concerns and takes every threat it hears about seriously.

“We take every threat seriously, we assume a threat is real until we can prove otherwise,” she said.

She added that each threat is thoroughly investigated and the department is prepared to take legal action if necessary.

Asked about metal detectors on HISD campuses, Garner said that while none are currently installed on district campuses, there is an active conversation about them.

“We are constantly evaluating and reevaluating the tools that can help keep students safe,” she said, while explaining that no single tool will guarantee student safety.

Garner said there were extra officers at Sterling High School after Wednesday’s stabbing and that while permanent metal detectors are not present on campus, metal detectors were used.

“School principals have the authority, under board policy, to use the magic wand if violence occurs on campus. In extreme situations, they have the authority to do so,” she said.