BILLY SHIELDS: Before school began at Midlothian High School, Chesterfield County showed off its new weapons detection system.

SHAWN ABEL: It's hopefully not a shock to anyone in particular, but if it is, we will walk them and help them feel at ease coming through the first few days and explain how this is just, again, to make everyone feel more safe and secure coming to school every day.

BILLY SHIELDS: Systems like these will be present in all the county's middle and high schools, as the 2025-26 school year begins.

It's a project that cost about $3 million.

School officials say these aren't traditional metal detectors.

JOHN PHILLIPS: A traditional metal detector uses similar technology that— to the wands that we have.

These systems are specifically designed with settings to allow a bypass by school appropriate items.

BILLY SHIELDS: There is a secondary inspection phase if the detectors are tripped.

Examples of items that should pass without tripping the alarm are school tools like three ring binders.

>>My child still has significant anxiety going to school.

BILLY SHIELDS: County parents voiced concerns about safety following a stabbing at Meadowbrook High and other incidents last school year.

It's unfortunate that it has to be this way, but I think we all understand that it's necessary for our safety.

BILLY SHIELDS: Chesterfield joins Hanover and Henrico counties and the cities of Hopewell and Richmond as districts with weapons detection systems.

JOHN PHILLIPS: So I don't know that it's fair to say that it's a success or a failure, but it's something that exists that, at the end of the day, makes us safer 100% than we were last year.

BILLY SHIELDS: Students return this week for the new school year.

Billy Shields, VPM News.