South Salem High School’s new Evolv weapons screening system. Photo by Ashley Ingebrigtsen.
All New Security Changes
Due to a previous incident at Bush Pasture’s Park, only a few blocks away from South Salem High School, the school is now taking new safety measures.
Apart from increased security staff around the school, perforated vinyl on windows that can not look into the school, alarms on the doors and a new weapon detection system are now present. Of the 85 doors that have access to the outside at South, 82 of them will have alarms on them. Those accessible will be the Rose lobby doors, main entrance doors and the lower commons doors. When students set off the alarms, students will get a warning for the first incident and after that, consequences may consist of in-school suspension (ISS) or out-of-school suspension (OSS).
Weapon detection systems stay stationed at popular entrance locations. The systems used will be two OPENGATE systems and one Evolv system.
How do these systems work?
OPENGATE systems are one of the only active walk-through detection systems. The system has students walk one by one through its detectors without any mechanical or electrical connection between the two pillars of the detection system. OPENGATE’s detection targets are multi-caliber weapons and improvised explosive devices, (IEDS). They do not require students to take off their shoes, jewelry, bags or anything metal as these systems only search for weapons while they are screening.
Contrary to the OPENGATE systems that will be placed at the lower commons and rose entrance, Evolv systems permit multiple people at a time to pass through the detectors. Evolv technological systems are run by AI, also allowing those to walk through without worry of having to take off their everyday belongings. If and when the Evolv system detects something, security monitoring the systems can quickly locate where the item that triggered the system is, allowing minimal contact and searching through belongings. The Evolv System is at the main/front entrance.
As previously mentioned, these systems will detect weapons but may also have increased sensitivity to detect other contraband. Items that are not contraband but may mistakenly set off the system may include but not limited to laptops, glasses cases, umbrellas, three-ring binders with metal spines and music cases.
If a student activates the system, they become subject to a security search. If a student refuses to participate in a mandatory search or refuses to walk through the detection system, they will not be allowed entry to the school building.
