Alarmed over increasing number of students bringing guns and other weapons to classrooms, the New York City has ordered unannounced random sweeps by police of students and their bags in middle and high schools.
Police officers armed with metal detectors would scan as students arrive for classes beginning later this month.
Under the arrangement, every student coming in would have to undergo the procedure on the day his or her school is on the radar.
Though there is no set timetable for the random scanning, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said schools where officials perceive a heightened risk would probably be searched more frequently. But he dismissed the concern that it would be a time consuming process which might delay the classes.
In announcing the plan, the mayor cited a recent increase in the number of guns and other weapons confiscated in the public schools even as major crime in schools citywide has declined this year.
Students and school officials will get no warning of the scanning, but to comply with legal restrictions, the mayor said the city would post notices outside schools alerting students that they can be searched on entry.
The Mayor's announcement drew protests form civil liberties activists and students but officials say that would not affect their decision.