Joliet West introduced a new security system this year. The Evolv body scanning system is advertised as “Advanced security detection technology for a safer world.” These scanners have been previously used at the entrance of the football field, but are now permanent fixtures at the main entrance and student entrance.

Evolv body scanners are touchless security systems that use artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology to screen people for weapons and other threats. According to Evolv’s online website,  “Our mission is to help make places safer for people to live, work, learn, and play. Evolv aims to help organizations detect potential threats, mitigate risk, and enhance safety using AI-powered security solutions with robust insights.”

These upgraded scanners are known for their speed and accuracy. With the rise of social media threats regarding school violence, and the fact that school shootings continue to happen around the nation, Joliet West is taking the initiative to get ahead of these issues to protect everyone on campus.

Evolv scanners can screen up to 3,600 people per hour, which is up to ten times faster than metal detectors. Evolv scanners can differentiate between weapons and common items like phones and keys. When a potential threat is detected, the system takes an image of the person and highlights the area of concern. The system alerts security guards to the location of the threat in real time. Finally, the system provides analytics to help with operational decisions.

“Unlike the previous metal detectors Joliet West had in place, the new Evolv scanners look specifically for weapons and concealed items that a metal detector would not necessarily pick up,” stated Assistant Principal Dr. Marcum.

Due to recent threats pertaining specifically to Joliet West and following a four-hour long lockdown to search the Joliet West campus, the new Evolv body scanners have been used daily upon student arrival. All students are now required to walk through the scanners, holding their laptops above their heads.

“If this is what we have to do to stay safe, then I am ok with it,” said Junior Tino Valadez. “The process is pretty fast actually,” he continued.

Those responsible for disrupting the school day have been identified and according to the Joliet Police Department, two females and one male student were arrested for their parts in spreading online threats through the community. The threats did not just disrupt the day of September 13th, but in the days to follow as well. Some local schools instituted an E-Learning day; however, Joliet West was in attendance that  Monday, September 16th. Attendance was very light as threats like these instill fear causing families and students to make the choice to stay home. Since then, daily searches have continued to take place.

There has been some backlash online regarding when students are checked or not checked. Rumors spread about this, so the school answered back by putting a permanent plan in place. “The new scanners were not used immediately because we needed a plan to use them efficiently,” said Marcum. “The threats on social media required us to make that plan much quicker,” he concluded.

Many staff have volunteered to help with searches in the morning. Admin asked staff to assist in the process. “I am available in the morning to help before school and I enjoy greeting students when they enter,” said teacher Ms. Vanderhyden. “It’s running very smoothly and all students are being cooperative in the process,” she continued.

According to online agenda minutes from the July school board meeting, there are five Evolv scanners at the West campus. Additionally, there are four at the Central campus and one at Pathways. In total, the scanners with four years of software cost the district over 900,000 dollars. JTHS is the only district in the local area to have this new form of technology available.

All in all, the new Evolv body scanners and bag searches will continue until further notice.