LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools is expected to begin installing weapons detection systems its high schools this fall and continue in the spring. Middle schools will soon follow, yet as the rollout is set to begin, the company suppling the systems — Evolv Technology — said it's received a federal inquiry into its marketing practices.
In a filing last week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Evolv said the U.S. Federal Trade Commission "requested information about certain aspects of its marketing practices ..." Bloomberg News, citing two unnamed sources, reported Friday that the FTC is investigating whether Evolv's artificial intelligence operates as the company claims.
In a written statement to WDRB News on Tuesday, the FTC Office of Public Affairs said "the FTC does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations and does not comment on investigations or information requests that are reported in filings, including SEC filings."
The Evolv systems are different from metal detectors in that they use artificial intelligence-based technology to detect weapons. It allows students to walk through without removing their bags or emptying their pockets. A guard monitors the system on a tablet and is alerted when a weapon is detected on a person.
In a written statement Tuesday, Evolv Technology said it aims to be "cooperative and educate (the FTC) about our company" and "stands behind its technology's capabilities and performance track record."
JCPS Weapon Detector Implementation Timeline (Courtesy: JCPS)
JCPS plans to phase the technology in to its high schools this fall and have them in all middle schools by the start of the 2024-25 school year. Ballard, among the schools in the first phase of installation, notified families last week that installation will begin soon.
Opinions about the technology varies amid some reports that it isn't successful. A school district in Utica, New York, which also uses Evolv, said a student got through with a knife and stabbed another student. The district's superintendent said the system was designed for use at large stadiums or arenas to "prevent incidents of mass casualties" but is not "adequate or practical" for public schools to use.
However, a school district in Florida that also uses Evolv said the system's most sensitive level can detect knives, along with guns and explosives. But while that results in more false positives, the district's chief of police said those started to decrease the longer the system was in use.
The system is estimated to cost JCPS $17 million for a five-year lease. The district will be responsible for staffing and upkeep of the systems.
In a statement from JCPS on Tuesday, spokeswoman Carolyn Callahan said no systems have been installed yet. The district is currently waiting on equipment and will then begin with the installation schedule.
Related Stories:
- Ballard High School principal outlines plans for installation of weapons detection system this fall
- JCPS chooses Johnson Controls to install weapon detection systems
- Evolv demonstrates weapons detection systems at Butler High School in Louisville
- JCPS Board votes to advance weapons detection system proposal
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