Securing Our Schools: Inside Colgan's Metal Detector Initiative

By: Lincoln Puls

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Coming into the new school year schools like Colgan with large student populations are facing a lot of new challenges and new challenges need new solutions. A challenge that Colgan and other high population schools face is threats the solution the school board decided on was metal detectors and the weapon detection software that is programed into them. To be able to detect weapons and other harmful devices in students bags and lunch boxes.

“The safety of everyone in our schools is the Board’s highest priority. Tonight’s investment in Evolv Weapons Detection System is the latest demonstration of our commitment to safer schools” said Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef on Prince Williams website.

The metal detectors themselves are helpful for keeping students safe, but cause problems when it comes down to educational materials like binders, they have metal in them or computers that have metal pieces or metal compasses. “Evolv systems use artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sensors to scan individuals as they pass through the screening lanes when they enter the school buildings” said Prince William County website “The systems are designed to detect weapons and other prohibited items based on sensitivity settings, on an individual’s person or in their belongings”

It also causes problems with the steady flow of students getting to classes and if a student is late because their computer went off in the metal detector will they still be tardy it’s just a confusing system of what’s and if’s. According to Prince Williams website the Evlov metal detectors have been implemented in over 500 U.S schools and Evolv will become activated through at the end of September.