Raptor Check-In System
What is the Raptor system?
Raptor is a visitor-tracking system that will enhance our school security. The system reads visitor driver's licenses (or other government-issued photo IDs), compares information to a sex offender database, alerts campus administrators if a match is found, then (assuming no match was made) prints a visitor badge that includes a photo of the visitor.
How does it work?
Drivers license information is compared to a database that consists of registered sex offenders from 49 states. If a match is found, the operator of the program (school employee) will get an alert of a possible match so that campus administrators and law enforcement personnel can take steps to keep the campus safe.
Why is Northwest ISD using this system?
Safety of students is the districts highest priority. Raptor will provide a consistent system to track visitors and volunteers while keeping away people who present a danger to students and staff.
What information is taken from driver's licenses?
Raptor is only scanning the visitor's name, date of birth and photo for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. Additional visitor data will not be gathered and no data will be shared with any outside company or organization.
Should Northwest ISD scan every visitor into the system?
Yes. The Raptor system is designed to track visitors. In case of an emergency, visitors can be viewed in a queue if they are still on campus. If necessary in an emergency, this will help identify who is inside the building.
Does Northwest ISD have the right to require visitors, even parents, to produce identification before entering the campus?
Yes. Schools need to know who is on the campuses and why they are there. We also need to be able to confirm that an individual has the authority to have access to the student (early pick up, for example). For full legal details, refer to Senate Bill 9.
What if the person refuses to show identification?
A campus administrator can meet with the individual and explain the process to them.
Do registered sexual offenders have a right to enter schools?
If a sexual offender has a legitimate reason to be on campus (e.g., visiting a legal dependent), and a court order does not prevent them from visiting the child and/or the school, then yes, the law permits them to enter a school. However, such individuals will only be given limited access. Northwest cannot deny access to an individuals own child. Schools can, however, deny access to other students.