Detroit Public Schools Now Have Metal Detectors

Gives new meaning to 'school of hard knocks.'

After seeing over 800 on-campus assaults since 2009, Detroit Public Schools will be rolling out new high-tech (and expensive) scanning systems to be used at all of the schools in the district starting this fall.

The scanners will snap a photo of every student's body as they enter the school, instantly revealing any metal objects on their body. School children will also be treated to having motorcycle units on campus to patrol the premises for unwanted visitors such as trouble makers and sex offenders. So pretty much, the average kid will get to know how it feels to walk into a New York City night club by the time they reach 5th grade.

Campus security have also been granted full deputy status and are allowed to arrest people anywhere in the city. Why is that significant? Because out of the 800 incidents, many of them were done by people who purposely waited for their targets to step off campus before they attacked them. After that, they'd run away and out of the jurisdiction of DPS security.

"We are the police," said DPS Police Chief Rod Grimes. "This is how you create a safe environment."

Having confiscated nearly 200 weapons from students over the last two years, DPS is expecting for these measures to have immediate impact. Because of their bad reputation, DPS has seen 100,000 students leave the district for greener pastures since 2001. They hope these efforts will make parents bring the kids back to the district.

Implementing scanning system will cost $534,000, which comes from $500 million construction bond voters approved two years ago. To their credit, DPS isn't the only ones using the money to make kids feel trapped safe. Many of the schools will get new swimming pools, dance studios, science labs and other amenities added. This isn't the only big change Detroit school children will be seeing when classes start September 6. Earlier this month it was announced that all Detroit school kids will be placed on the free lunch program.

Metal detectors, three hots? Only thing missing is the cot.