Texas Lieutenant Governor Donates Metal Detectors to Santa Fe School

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced plans to donate up to 10 metal detectors to the Santa Fe, Texas, school district following the May 18 shooting that killed students and teachers and left others wounded.

“On the day of the shooting in Santa Fe, I made securing the entrances and exits to our schools a top priority,” Lt. Governor Patrick stated. “Santa Fe parents have asked for immediate action to secure the entrances to their schools and I want to make sure that if the Santa Fe ISD School Board wants to install metal detectors they can do so.”

A student from the Santa Fe High School entered the school on the morning of May 18 and opened fire with a shotgun and a revolver, Breitbart Texas reported. Before surrendering to police the student killed 10 people and wounded at least 10 others.

“Today I am also pledging that the Texas Senate will create a new matching fund program in the next legislative session for other schools that want to install metal detectors or use wands for inspection,” the Lt. Governor stated. “Schools that install detectors or buy wands before next session can be reimbursed retroactively through the matching program.”

“We know we need a comprehensive plan to secure our schools statewide and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy. Each district will decide the path best for them,” Patrick continued.

Texas leaders held several round table discussions following the shooting in Santa Fe.

During one of those meetings, President Donald Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Lt. Governor Patrick met with victims from the school shooting. During the meeting, Patrick pledged support from the legislature to increase funding for school security. One of those proposals would be to train and arm additional school security personnel. Patrick said that more than 140 people will be trained during this summer’s school break.

Lt. Gov. Patrick also appointed a Senate Select Committee on School Safety and Security to “a broad range of strategies to eliminate violent intruders in Texas public schools and address the root causes of school violence.” A report is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month, Patrick stated.