Weapon Detection Systems

These systems are designed to provide fast and efficient screening of multiple people at the same time, allowing for a natural flow of entry. The goal is to minimize any potential disruptions to the entry process.

From the pilot at South Salem High School, the district learned how to reduce alerts for harmless items, so students won’t need to 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 operate the systems, handle false alerts, and perform additional screenings if necessary.

If the system detects a prohibited item, trained staff move the person to an area away from screening lanes for additional review. Secondary screenings involve a closer inspection of the person or their belongings, which may include checking 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 individual 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.

Implementation of these systems followed a successful six-week pilot program at South Salem High School in 2024. The program resulted in fewer behavior incidents, improved attendance, and increased the sense of safety among students and staff.

Feedback from more than 1,100 students, families, staff, and community members also helped guide implementation. Results showed that nearly half of students and about three-quarters of staff reported feeling 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. 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 through a restricted fund that can only be used for specific safety-related purposes. These funds cannot be used to pay for teachers or extracurricular activities. The systems cost more than $1.5 million to implement at the district's comprehensive middle and high schools and Roberts High School. Remaining costs are covered through the district's Safety & Risk Management fund.