NASH COUNTY, N.C. — With many students across the state returning to the classroom on Monday, some school districts are increasing safety measures. In Nash County, all middle and high schools have new safety equipment in place this year.
Nash County installed new weapons detection security screening systems. Spectrum News 1 was able to visit Early College High School, where students went back to class earlier this month, to see how it all works. The systems use artificial intelligence, making the process smooth and quick.
Heather Louise Finch grew up in the area and now, as the spokeswoman for Nash County Public Schools, she gets to see the investments they’ve made in their students' safety.
“We've installed Evolv security screening systems into all of our middle school and high schools in Nash County public schools,” Finch said.
The screening machines are sleek and slim, designed to take up minimal space.
“It's a free flowing system to allow them to walk through seamlessly and not invasive to their personal space or their belongings,” Finch said.
If someone walks through with a concerning item, the machine beeps in order to alert the person monitoring the nearby screen.
However, the technology also beeps when items like laptops and three ring-binders are detected. So they’ve figured out a way to speed things up if students have those items.
“Similarly, if you're at the airport, taking them out of the bag after they get off the school bus or as before they enter the building, and most of our schools will have all of our schools have tables to help them get them out of their bag and go through the line seamlessly,” Finch said.
According to the district, they haven’t had any major safety incidents and they’re hoping these screening machines keep it that way.
Finch said nothing is 100% perfect, but the district believes this is just one more way to make schools even safer.
“We are being proactive. As you know, there's been several incidents across the country and we believe in this new technology,” Finch said.
Finch said the machines cost about $1.6 million. A price, Finch said, is well worth the investment.
“A child's life is worth anything in the world. We would do anything to save and protect our children and keep them safe and know that they have a safe, loving, nurturing environment to help them be the best that they can be,” Finch said.
Finch said they also had to reconsider entry points in schools as well as traffic flow because some schools had one entrance for bus drop off and another for car drop offs. However, they now have one entry point to ensure everyone is screened by the machines.
If a dangerous item is found, Finch said they have a plan in place that involves school officials, like the school resource officer, as well as contacting law enforcement and parents.
Finch said Nash County received a grant to help cover some of the cost and they’re now one of eight school districts in North Carolina to use this type of equipment. Some of the other district with this technology include Johnston, Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Guildford County schools.