The head of the local parochial schools in Youngstown is looking to add additional security measures for the safety of students and students participating in sporting events.

The superintendent of the Catholic schools for the Youngstown Diocese, Steven Jones, tells 21 News that they are looking to add metal detectors after borrowing some portable units from the Mahoning County Sheriff's Offices for some recent sporting events.

Jones said that the officers covering games for the Diocese events recommended metal detectors as the best way to deter incidents from happening.

The district has been running some trials using the borrowed detectors to see if and how they would impact traffic flow, and also wanted to get feedback from the parents of students and guests at events.

"The feedback has been pretty positive," Jones said.

Now, the district is working to get pricing and information from vendors to purchase their own metal detectors.

Jones said they are looking into grants and are in the process of gathering information on the varying types of detectors available for schools, including advances in the technology that doesn't require people passing through the system to remove vehicle keys and phones before entering.

Jones said the units range between $15,000 and go up as high as $30,000 per unit, and added, "Lots grants out there right now for school security, because it is a real issue. And we want to be responsive to that.

While the implementation of the systems is still being discussed, the first plan for use will primarily at larger school events, and primarily for use at the high school level, including sports events inside and outside.

Jones said the units are portable and would be easily moved to locations needed.

Jones said the district will be visiting other districts to see their detectors and is planning on making its final decision very soon.