Gwinnett County's $20M school security upgrade: Weapons detection system rollout
Gwinnett County's $20M school security upgrade
Earlier this month, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved spending nearly $20 million to expand weapons detection systems at all middle and high schools across the district. The EVOLV detection technology, which pairs artificial intelligence with advanced sensors to differentiate between weapons and everyday items like keys and phones, has already been used at stadiums, gymnasiums, and summer school sites.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Thousands of students across North Georgia are heading back to school this week, with classes resuming in districts including Lamar, Douglas, Henry, Jackson, and Griffin-Spalding counties, as well as the City Schools of Decatur. Georgia’s largest school system, Gwinnett County Public Schools, returns to class on Monday—and this year, students at some campuses will notice new safety measures in place.
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Weapons detections systems
What we know:
Earlier this month, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved spending nearly $20 million to expand weapons detection systems at all middle and high schools across the district. The EVOLV detection technology, which pairs artificial intelligence with advanced sensors to differentiate between weapons and everyday items like keys and phones, has already been used at stadiums, gymnasiums, and summer school sites.
Now, the school district is gradually rolling out the technology to school campuses beginning in August, with full implementation expected throughout the school year. The new system aims to enhance safety without the delays commonly associated with traditional metal detectors.
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Security in Gwinnett schools
What they're saying:
While elementary schools won’t receive the EVOLV systems, district officials say school resource officers will be stationed at those campuses to provide a security presence.
"It is a component of a layered mitigation strategy that we have in place," said Dr. Al Taylor, interim superintendent for Gwinnett County Public Schools. "We don’t rely on any one single function to improve safety and security. But working together with all the components that we have—as well as building the capacity and training our staff on how to respond in various situations—that’s how you can better improve safety."
"The weapons detection is a component of a very comprehensive, layered mitigation strategy that we have in place," said Gwinnett County Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor. "This is an important component, but it's not the only component."
The school system says there is a delicate balance between keeping kids safe and locking down campuses.
"Safety and security are always our top priorities, but there is a balance of ensuring that we can, improve the environment for safety and security without losing the warm, welcoming environment that we have as an expectation for all of our physical buildings," Dr. Taylor said.
During a school board meeting earlier this month, a 10-year-old student said she would like to see the system at her elementary school too.
"Installing weapon detectors in our school would bring a great deal of safety due to the fact that it will stop weapons," said Jasmine Cavallaro.
The district says it is ready and excited to welcome back its more than 182,000 students next week.
What's next:
The school system says the rollout starts next month and will continue over a few months until every middle and high school is outfitted.