Butler Area School District pilots new weapon detection system

BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — The Butler Area School District is piloting a new weapon detection system. 

The district has been using metal detectors since 1995. But now the district is piloting something new.

"We were looking to – what else can we do to enhance our school safety?" Butler Area SD superintendent Brian White said.

Machines from Evolv went in at three of the district's ten schools last week.

"So far, we're generally happy," White said.

White said the metal detectors have been great. These weapons detectors allow for a faster morning entry.

"If we decide this is our new model, we're gonna have to rethink some of our bussing, because we may not need to pick up students quite as early as we have been," White said.

The Evolv system provides the district with analytics. It gives feedback.

"That allows our staff to start to consider the number of alerts we have, and what kinds of things they are, so we can start to advise students to get those things out of their bags," White said.

It's very similar to what you see at venues like PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium. The weapon detectors are also portable.

"It will allow us the flexibility to use them at larger events such as games, concerts, things of that nature," White said.

Only one of the district's elementary schools is testing the Evolv system right now, but that could change.

"We may rotate it amongst the elementaries, just to try the different elementaries," White said. "To get a feel for it, if it's appropriate for elementary students or not."

Even though things have gone well in this initial phase so far, there's still a lot of testing and learning to do.

"We're not ready to give up our metal detectors until we're comfortable saying that we're having the same level of effectiveness," White said.

The superintendent says these weapons detectors may be added to other district schools too. They're going to do a review of the pilot after this school year.