Weapon Detection Systems

The weapon detection systems check people as they walk through screening lanes when entering school buildings. They are designed to find weapons or other prohibited items on a person or in their belongings. If a restricted item is detected, the system sends a quiet alert so nearby students are not alarmed. Staff will then ask the student to open their backpack, case or pockets, depending on the alert. School staff aim to keep these interactions positive as students begin their day.

SKPS has evaluated the common items that create false alerts in these systems.

Here are some suggestions to avoid false alerts:

• Choose plastic school supplies instead of metallic supplies whenever possible.

• Use three-ring binders with plastic spines/rings (non-metal).

• Use hard plastic eyeglass cases (versus metal).

• Students should “pack-light” and limit the number of items in bags or other equipment.

• Keep unnecessary metallic items home (game consoles, beauty products, USB drives).

• In certain locations, laptops and umbrellas will be passed around the detection systems via a staffed table.

These systems are designed to provide fast and efficient screening of multiple people at the same time, allowing for a natural flow of entry. During the initial implementation, some delays may be experienced; however, the goal is to minimize any potential disruptions to the entry process.

From the pilot at South Salem High School, the district has learned how to reduce alerts for harmless items, so students won’t need to always remove things like Chromebooks when entering schools.

The weapons detection system can find prohibited items on a person, whether they walk through the lanes alone or in a group. It can identify restricted items carried by one or more people in a group at the same time. If someone is carrying a prohibited item, the system is designed to alert school staff.

School administrators, safety specialists and other staff will welcome students each morning while overseeing the weapons detection systems. Trained staff will learn how to operate the systems, handle false alerts and perform additional screenings if necessary.

If the system finds a prohibited item on someone or in their belongings, trained staff will take the person to a separate area, away from the screening lanes, for further checking. Secondary screenings involve a closer check of a person or their belongings, which may include looking through backpacks, instrument cases, or asking the person to empty their pockets.

School staff conduct secondary screenings and are trained to handle these situations with care, respect and professionalism. They focus on protecting individuals' privacy and dignity while ensuring safety and security.

The weapons detection system is unlikely to detect hearing aids or other medical devices that a person is wearing or carrying. If anyone has concerns about medical devices, including cochlear implants, they should talk to their medical provider for advice tailored to their needs.

The non-ionizing electromagnetic fields used by Evolv systems are considered safe for everyone, including pregnant women and their babies. If someone has concerns about pregnancy, they should consult their medical provider for personalized advice

In the spring of 2024, the district gave students and the community a chance to see the weapons detection systems being considered and share their feedback. During the pilot program at South Salem High School, hundreds of students who used the systems every day also shared their thoughts in the spring and fall.

The district surveyed students, parents, and staff about their experiences with the new safety systems. More than 1,100 people responded, and the results showed that nearly 50% of students and about 75% of staff felt safer at school.

During the pilot at South Salem High School, the new safety system led to higher attendance, fewer attendance violations and fewer behavioral issues. If students have concerns about how the system affects their attendance, they should talk to their school administration for help.

Weapons detection systems are an important step to keep the school environment safe, and all students are required to be screened when entering the building. Parents with questions or concerns about the system can contact their school administration to discuss further.

The primary use of weapons detection systems is during the school day, but  schools may choose to expand the usage of the systems.

These systems are designed to prioritize privacy and data protection while collecting real-time data to detect prohibited items and assess potential threats. The data is also used for planning and includes information like the number of students screened, the frequency of alerts, and screening times.

Types of data collected include:

• Camera data - Matches sensor results to provide an overview of the area of concern without capturing personal details or detailed images of individuals.
• Metadata - Identifies potential threats and helps security respond effectively
• Statistical data - Tracks alert rates and types of threats to spot patterns and improve safety measures
• Self-diagnostics - Ensures the system operates correctly by monitoring its health and calibration

Weapons detection systems are funded in part out of a restricted fund that can only be used for specific purposes such as this. For example, that funding cannot be used to pay for additional teachers or other extracurricular activities. Overall, the systems will cost in excess of $1.5 million for all of our district comprehensive high schools and Roberts High School. Costs outside of the restricted fund have been allocated for within our district's Safety & Risk Management fund.