With the implementation of new Evolv Weapons Detection System this morning, March 28, Principal Dr. Matthew Mahony is here to reassure students of their purpose and positive effect for the school.
“My message would be that it’s an added layer of safety for us as students and staff,” Mahony said. “We don’t have any particular specific concerns about weapons coming into the school. It is just a district-wide thing.”
With this new layer of security, students have worries about delays with this new step in their morning routines.
“The biggest delay is just going to be everybody getting used to what makes the system go off with things that you would normally carry,” Mahony said. “So once people get used to that routine, then they’ll have a more efficient morning.”
While students are adjusting their routines to eliminate items that will set the system off, Mahony wants to reassure students that they will not be penalized.
“We’ll work with the circumstances that we find ourselves in,” Mahony said. “So if we get to 7:25 a.m. and we’re still processing people, we’ll adjust. We’re not going to penalize students, but my message would be, get here early on those days while we get used to the new system.”
Once students get used to the new Evolv Systems, the school will implement an ID checkpoint into the daily entrance process.
“So as you come through the gates and you’re cleared through the detection system, you’ll just hold your ID up,” Mahony said. “If you don’t have one, we have a line right there, and before you enter the building, you’ll go to that ID line, and you’ll get one printed.”
With all the change coming to the school so abruptly, Mahony has a message to students.
“None of this was done with any concern about our school in particular. I think the biggest benefit is simply peace of mind,” Mahony said. “So this is just an added layer of security because no one thing is a silver bullet when it comes to safety.”
