GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — In the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, safety is extending beyond the classroom. Gwinnett County Public Schools announced it will add extra safety measures to each high school football stadium in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week, the school district's police chief said each high school would get two weapons detection units. They are similar to devices at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. The new weapons detection units utilize technology to prevent knives, guns or other weapons from entering an event.
Berkmar High School graduate Deshaun Anderson frequently goes to football games to cheer on his sister as she cheers on the Patriots. He said the new security upgrades would make Friday nights safer and smoother for parents and other fans.
"We have kids here and there try to fight or whatever, but other than that the games are fun," Anderson said. "I feel good about the upgrades because then there'll be less stuff that'll happen and less for people to worry about."
Gwinnett County Public Schools previously cracked down on ID requirements to get into games after an incident in 2023 led to a mass exodus and fights at Discovery High School. The district also implemented a clear backpack policy and added more resource and police officers on site.
Brookwood High School junior Nathan Thach welcomed the security measures, especially with the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School still fresh on his and his classmates' minds.
"We come here to have fun," Thach said. "We don't need to worry about anything. I feel more security could actually suppress any threats quicker. They can get to areas faster. More areas are covered by cops and security guards."
The school district will spend millions on the new weapons detection systems. School district officials said they would release more details about the technology and the timeline of rolling them out next Wednesday.