News and Information

ID Scanner Checks School Visitors Against Sex Registry
Technology Instantly Checks Visitor's Names Against National Sex Offender Registry
Russell Haythorn, 7NEWS Reporter, Denver, CO

September 4, 2007 – THORNTON, Colo. -- You can't get onto a plane without it, you can't get into a bar without it and now you can't get into a Thornton middle school without it. The "it" is a photo identification card.

And Rocky Top Middle School is using the ID and state-of-the-art technology to keep bad guys out.

"It's a check-in system when you walk into our schools," said Pat Hamilton, Director of Safe and Secure Environments for Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

All visitors must present a government-issued photo ID to enter Rocky Top. The ID is then scanned and checked against the national sex offender registry.

"The scanner pulls your picture and all of your information and checks you against the national sex offender registry," said Hamilton.

The scan only takes about 10 seconds.

"It's just another tool we can use to enhance school security," said Rocky Top school resource officer Rory Coonts.

Coonts is credited with discovering the system, which is made by a company out of Houston. They are called V-Soft security programs.

If someone dangerous is at the door, the system pages the school resource officer and the principal.

"We had a parent that sent an uncle to pick up a child one day, and he was on the national sex offender registry," said Hamilton.

"And at that point what happened is Officer Coonts took the man back into his office and checked into the matter more thoroughly. In that situation, he was informed that he had to stay a minimum of 500 feet away from our school at all times," said Rocky Top Principal Jami Miller.

If the name checks out, the visitor gets a peel-and-stick visitor's badge with his or her picture on it.

"We're able to be accountable for everyone that comes into the building. Know who's here, how long they've been here and when they leave. And who they're here to see," said Coonts.

The visitors' badges can even be printed to include the room number of the class a guest is expected to be visiting.

"We can also input data into the computer which would check against custodial rights. Which parent is the legal custodian when and which isn't," said Hamilton.

The system costs Rocky Top about $1,500 to install. It also requires a $400 per year service cost to stay connected. To parents, they feel the cost is well worth it.

"Peace of mind knowing that my kid is safe at school," said Rocky Top parent Jennifer Dullard.

Rocky Top was first school in Adams 12 Five Star District to intall the software. Now two others inthe district are using it. Cherry Creek's School district has it installed in a number of middle and high schools. Countless others throughout the state are looking at it.

The system does not check any other criminal history or traffic violations and it does not give the schools access to personal information such as a person's Social Security number.

"We're making it as difficult as possible for someone with harmful intentions," said Miller.