By: Aarav Patel
Prince William County Public Schools has decided to mandate the installment of Evolv metal detectors at all middle and high schools to try to mitigate potential security risks. The Evolv system will start working on September 19th.
About the new security systems, School Safety/Security Officer Mr. Wall said,
“It will probably keep the school safer, and they’ll make people think twice about bringing things they shouldn’t, not just weapons but other things like drugs.”
Evolv systems are not traditional metal detectors, but rather only flags potentially dangerous items,
“They’re not like the airport metal detectors; they use AI to measure [potential threats]. We’ve tested it a couple different times, and it [didn’t cause any issues]… kids can generally walk through the metal detectors with their backpacks on, keys don’t set it off, phones don’t set it off,” Mr. Wall said.
Mr. Wall also commented on the more technical side of the Evolv metal detectors.
“The system works because the largest tower emits a magnetic field, and the smaller tower on the far side receives it, and there’s a computer that interprets the variances of a magnetic field, and an algorithm that decides what it is.” Mr. Wall said.
The Evolv security system uses forms of electromagnetic radiation called E.L.F. as part of their AI system. This radiation has been shown to be safe and the Evolv system works at levels well below the federal regulations.
When passing through the security scanners, it is recommended students should pass umbrellas, computers, water bottles, and metal eyeglass cases to prevent false flags.
“We are going to ask students to slide those computers across… I’ve tried it with one big, thick binders, and those will set it off, but smaller ones won’t… Most binders will probably be okay, as well as water bottles,” Mr. Wall said.
Phone chargers and computer chargers aren’t expected to raise any false flags. About nine percent of the Evolv system’s flags are proved to be false. These systems function primarily at airports, so there is an elevated risk of false flags.
Sensitivity levels of the Evolv security systems can be adjusted for what PWCS says can, “enhance the system’s ability to detect weapons and other prohibited items, as well as provide additional peace of mind for the school community.”
The efficiency or effectiveness of the Evolv systems cannot be determined until the full system goes active. Prince William County or Gainesville High School may change the passing procedures used with the security scanners later in the school year.
