A Delaware County school district is taking action to improve student safety after a recent gun alert.
Daniel P. McGarry, superintendent of the Upper Darby School District, said authorities plan to install a weapon detection system at Upper Darby High School, Drexel Hill Middle School and Beverly Hills Middle School.
McGarry described it as an open gate system where students would walk between a set of white metal poles. If they were carrying any kind of compressed metal, an orange box would appear on the screen so security could check to see if it was a weapon.
During his presentation at a school board meeting last week, McGarry said it’s the same type of technology used at Lincoln Financial Field.
“It’s not a metal detector,” McGarry said. “It’s more of a software, artificial intelligence.”
The proposal, which has been in the works for years, has received renewed attention after two recent gun incidents in the district.
On September 3, a Upper Darby High School student brought gun to schooland 10 days later, another student brought in an AR-15-style magazine, McGarry said.
“I can honestly tell you that this administration is working day and night to keep security as the top priority,” McGarry said.
The sensors, made by Massachusetts-based security technology company Evolv, can detect a wide range of weapons, from AR-15-style rifles and pipe guns to shotguns and handguns.
But there is a drawback.
“Products like Chromebooks, glasses cases, ring binder books and umbrellas often cause these types of complaints,” McGarry said.
The superintendent said the technology would cost more than $1 million to install. Jane Rogiani, whose daughter attends Drexel Hill Middle School, said she is in favor.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Rogiani said. “It would be nice if they could implement it before someone gets hurt. They have lockdowns all the time.”
The nine-member school board plans to vote on the proposal during a special meeting Tuesday evening.
