The School District of Lee County, Florida, has reported a 39% decrease in school-related security incidents in 2024 compared to 2023. Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin credited OPENGATE® for playing a key role in enhancing campus safety. Security and Fleet Operations Chief Dave Newlan shared the results during a recent school board workshop, noting significant drops in arrests, civil citations, and notices to appear across the district.

Local law enforcement also reported declines:

• Lee County Sheriff’s Office incidents dropped 40%
• Fort Myers Police saw a 29% reduction
• Cape Coral Police reported a 42% decrease

Tom McDermott, K-12 Safety & Security Coach & Market Manager for CEIA USA, emphasized both the cultural and strategic benefits schools are experiencing:

“While many are concerned about staffing issues for screening students in the morning, many have found that it has actually helped to improve the culture because they are now greeting all of the students on their way into school in the morning. And, they notice if a student is not doing well that day. I have heard this now quite a bit. This is a big deal.”

He also addressed common skepticism around weapons detection technology:

“…the old refrain that ‘Detectors make our schools look like prisons’ and ‘There’s no proof that detectors work or have any effect.’ This is great, factual evidence about the efficacy of detectors! Of course, it’s not about the detectors themselves, which is why I mentioned their leadership. Great leadership is where it starts. Then, with a great plan, working with a great partner like CEIA, with great ‘safety’ and security solutions like the OPENGATE, can absolutely help to reduce the incidents of violence and threats, while improving the school culture.”

The success in Lee County aligns with national trends from Campus Safety’s 2024 Weapons Detection Survey, which found that detection technologies are increasingly effective in creating safer school environments. However, some districts still face challenges related to staffing, training, and integrating these systems into broader security plans.