LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new effort is underway to help keep students safe at Jefferson County Public Schools. 

What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Public Schools will be getting weapon detection systems 

  •  JCPS school board approved the proposal on Tuesday 

  •  The system seen on Thursday allows students to pass through without having to take off bags, shoes, or jackets

  • Evolv Technology says their system has detected over 170,000 hidden weapons 

On May 9, JCPS school board voted to advance the proposal for installing weapon detection systems. 

On Thursday morning, Evolv Technology hosted a demonstration of one of the possible systems that might be used in JCPS schools as early as the 2023-2024 school year. 

“I feel safe coming into our schools, even before this, but this is another layer of safety,” said JCPS Chief of Schools Robert Moore.  

Evolv weapon detection systems are installed all over the country. They can be seen at theme parks, museums, the Kentucky Derby and schools. The company said they have found over 170,000 hidden weapons with their technology. 

“It’s our mission at Evolv to keep spaces safer and schools are at the forefront of that mission. It’s extremely important,” said Jill Lemond, director of education market development with Evolv.

The system is simple. People entering the school would walk through the sensors without having to take off their shoes, bags or jackets. If the light on the sensor turns red, a tablet identifies the location of the possible weapon. 

The sensors can scan up to 3,600 people per hour and would cost $68 per student. 

“I just want to see fewer weapons in our school building like we have seen in our school building. In other districts who have implemented weapons detectors and a collaboration from schools and our community to reduce the guns that are in our neighborhood,” said Moore. 

Weapon detection systems will likely be seen in several JCPS middle and high schools by the 2023-2024 school year. 

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