When someone says raptors, prehistoric dinosaurs tend to come to mind. FCPS has given a whole new meaning to the phrase. Now students think of unimaginable things happening in a school and a plan that seems to be flawed. The new Raptor devices made their debut after spring break, and teachers have mixed feelings. Teachers are required to wear their Raptors around their necks at all times, though many teachers have abandoned this idea due to the stress of accidently pressing it. 

When faculty press their Raptor seven times a notification is sent to teachers’ and administration’s phones. Emergency services will come to the location where the device was activated. The device can track location, which is intended to help authorities be able to locate an emergency within the school. However, some teachers have started wearing them less because they are worried about accidentally setting it off.

Teachers have a lot on their plates, that’s why the training course for Raptors was very brief–it was limited to a couple two minute videos that only showed when to use them and how to do so, leading teachers to feel unprepared to use the device. They are meant for situations where the school needs to go into lockdown or call the police. If there is a situation such as a fight in the halls, teachers are meant to press the emergency buttons located in classrooms. Many have been left wondering if there is a need for both and there have been instances of the Raptor being pressed when it would have been more fitting to press the emergency button in their class. 

There have been other instances of the Raptors being pressed by accident and even one instance where it went off without being touched. Every time a button gets pressed, it takes away from class time when admin has to announce to the school that the situation has been dealt with. This often leaves students confused and worried that something has gone wrong. 

“To my knowledge, since I’ve been here, we haven’t really had a need for it, so it might not get its use,” science teacher Joshua Shipman said. “But if we do need to use it, it could save lives.”

While it is meant to make schools feel safer–just like the metal detectors—students and teachers feel like schools are not more secure but instead that these measures make people more on edge by bringing more attention to the potential for an emergency. The Raptors seem like an abrupt addition to the numerous new policies added during the 2025-2026 school year. Raptors are a significant expense that has been made all across Fairfax County throughout all grade levels, costing the county $3,750 per school, plus millions in annual fees.

While Raptors were intended to make schools safer, the lack of preparation causes them to be used incorrectly and in the end make teachers and students feel more worried about coming to school each day. Raptors are a reminder that our society isn’t as safe as we think it is. 

“Do I feel safer?” English teacher Lauren Arvis said. “No, I feel more encumbered.”