Are weapons detection systems coming to Albuquerque Public Schools?

Weapons detection systems could be coming to Albuquerque Public Schools campuses after the district’s Board of Education voted Wednesday night to approve more than $4 million in capital outlay funds to invest in the technology.

The funding was made available through House Bill 450, which designated over $1 billion for capital outlay projects across the state.

APS notified the state of preliminary plans to use the funding to install weapon-detection technology into an existing district-wide camera system, to start phasing in weapon detectors at stadiums and schools and to improve existing security systems, according to APS spokesperson Martin Salazar.

“These projects aren’t set in stone,” Salazar wrote. “Once we receive the funding, we will see how it supports our current strategic plan for security, as we have heard from the community that they want us to invest in additional security measures.”

He added that APS “likely wouldn’t implement the weapon detection systems before August 2026.”

The board approved the allocated funds during a school year in which 10 firearms have been recovered on or near campuses so far. The highest number the district had recovered by this point in a school year was six, last school year.

“Student safety is our highest priority, and I am grateful to state lawmakers for providing resources that strengthen security across APS,” board member Heather Benavidez said Friday.

The issue of firearms on campus has grown for APS since the pandemic. Authorities have seized 70 guns since students returned to classrooms in 2021.

The district has also seen three students die in shootings outside of schools in that time: 13-year-old Bennie Hargrove outside Washington Middle School in 2021; 16-year-old Andrew Burson at West Mesa High School in 2022; and 16-year-old Elijah Pohl-Morfin in the parking lot of Atrisco Heritage High School in 2023.

Last month, APS tested out a weapons detection system at Albuquerque High School, where three guns have been recovered so far this school year.

The district now begins the procurement process, allowing companies with weapons-detection technology to bid on the opportunity to do business with APS.

“We are pleased to have this funding,” board member Courtney Jackson said Friday. “And look forward to working with the administration to determine how best to allocate it so that the safety of our students and staff is elevated.”