MESA, Ariz. — If you're heading to a high school graduation ceremony in Mesa this year, you'll want to get there a little bit earlier than anticipated.
Mesa Public Schools (MPS) recently announced that all six high school graduation ceremonies will have weapon detection systems that everyone attending will have to go through.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Detectores de armas en graduaciones de todas las preparatorias de Mesa a partir de este año
Allen Moore, the director of safety and security at MPS, said the technologically advanced devices detect any metals associated with weapons as people walk through them.
"We just want to prevent guns and knives from coming into our campuses and into the graduation ceremony," Moore said.
While the weapon detection devices are new for graduations in Mesa, students have been using them for a few weeks now as part of a new safety program at MPS.
"This is just one added layer of security to try to make our schools safe places to learn,” Moore said.
Moore said the district plans on adding these same detectors to Mesa Junior Highs starting in the fall of next school year. There are also discussions of implementing them at elementary schools.
Parents of students at Mesa High School are in support of the change.
"I'm fine with whatever's going to keep my kids safe," Kaija Claridge said.
Some students said they didn't like the new devices because they created long lines to get onto campus. Still, parents said it's worth it for increased safety.
"We need to protect our schools, because if you're not safe in school, where are you going to be safe at?" said Grace Santa Cruz.
Especially after Mesa police said the weapon detectors caught a Mesa High student who brought a pistol and two loaded magazines in his backpack.
"I am so appalled because this should not be happening with all the violence that's going on in the world," Santa Cruz said.
The student, who was identified as Joseph Coops, 18, was immediately detained and questioned, officials said.
Court records show Coops allegedly admitted to buying the gun through social media about seven months ago from an unknown person.
Coops was charged with having a weapon on school grounds, carrying a deadly weapon under the age of 21 and possession of a deadly weapon, a felony.
No large bags or backpacks will be allowed onto school grounds for graduation night but Moore said people can bring small clear bags.
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