Modern technology is used in Roanoke City and County Public Schools to ensure student safety

Roanoke, Virginia – Weapons detectors and other cutting-edge security devices have become popular issues when it comes to school safety because of how quickly technology is developing.

Although they are excellent resources, the public schools of Roanoke City and Roanoke County said that when it comes to school safety, we need to go back to the fundamentals.

You are free to enjoy as much security theater as you like. It everything comes down to a human being, whether it’s metal detectors or weapons detectors, according to Chris Perkins, Chief Operations Officer of Roanoke City Public Schools.

Perkins emphasized that although the school has technology for safety purposes, such as weapons detectors, it is only a small portion of the total security measures in place.

“We’ve heard there have been problems, which may be related to a threat, so they can be used as a deterrent,” he clarified.

To find out how frequently the district’s evolv weapons detection system was used, we requested data from the previous academic year.

It demonstrates that the system was used 39 times, mostly on regular school days but also for athletic events and graduations.

Although the district did not record any gun detection, they did say that staff had discovered vapes and that a kid had once thrown away a pocketknife.

Although the Roanoke County system does not currently have weapons detectors, Tammy Newcomb, Executive Director of Administration, stated that this year they will be installing vape detectors in high school restrooms as a new safety measure.

“The vape detectors have a lot of functions. First, they’ll notify us when students are vaping in there, and it will also notify us if there are loud noises coming from the restrooms, according to Newcomb.

Additionally, both school districts use security measures including double-door vestibules that require visitors to sign in on computers.

Additionally, there is a drive to have parents and children report any suspect conduct.

Newcomb clarified, “You can call the police, the police contact us, we contact our SRO officers, and that way we’re on top of it.”

Parents and kids are encouraged to use the district’s 24/7 tip line, Speak Up for Safety, in Roanoke City if they hear something suspicious.