Upper Darby school board votes 'yes' on installing weapons detection system

UPPER DARBY, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Upper Darby School Board members voted yes to installing a weapons detection system inside the middle schools and Upper Darby High School at a special meeting on Tuesday night.

There have been calls for metal detectors for more than a decade, but as the superintendent explained, this technology isn't quite the same.

"This is not a metal detector. It's different. It's not really looking just for metal; it has artificial intelligence looking for the shape and what looks like a weapon," said Dr. Daniel McGarry, Upper Darby School District superintendent.

The weapons detection system is by a company called Evolv Technology.

Officials say they plan to initially install the system in three schools across the district, where each device can scan as many as 2,000 students in an hour.

In total, 13 weapon detection systems will be installed at various locations in the middle schools and high school.

"This is another deterrent and a way to hopefully make people feel safer about what we're trying to do in our schools," said McGarry about the decision.

Company officials said the technology is already used at stadiums, hospitals, and other schools worldwide.

"It's unfortunate we're having these conversations, but here in the school district, we're going to review the best safety measures that we can," McGarry said. "We're really trying to reduce the likelihood of a gun in our secondary schools."

The longtime push for additional security measures was renewed after two gun-related incidents at the beginning of the school year earlier this month.

The superintendent says one high school student, who was suspected of being under the influence, had a loaded handgun while another student was found with an AR-style magazine.

The Appoquinimink School District in Middletown, Delaware, has been using the Evolv technology at sporting events since last year.

Officials there say they've only had one instance where the system detected a serious security threat, which ultimately turned out to be a law enforcement officer who complied with state concealed carry laws.

Many residents around Upper Darby told Action News they're strongly in favor of these new security measures.

"I think it's an excellent idea given the situations we're dealing with," said Leonard Kennedy from Upper Darby.

"You've got to change with the times and that's what I think they're doing," added Franki Storm from Lansdowne.

Some, however, were concerned about privacy and the stigma it could create for students.

"There are less invasive options and I'm just here to simply make it known," one resident said at the school board meeting.

"I don't believe that treating the entire community of children like potential criminals is the best way to address their ongoing education," another added.

The Action News Data Journalism team found that Pennsylvania reported nearly 40 students were found in possession of firearms at school during the 2021-2022 school year.

It was the second-highest rate on record for the commonwealth, but it was the fourth-lowest rate recorded nationally.

Some say this is a sad reality, and these things can't go unchecked.

"I got no problem with it at all. Because I say if you're not doing anything wrong, it's not going to bother you," said Kennedy.

The technology will cost more than $1.1 million over the course of four years.