Weapons detection system being tested at Hickman High School until winter break

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Hickman High School will test a weapons detection system Monday through Dec. 21, the start of winter break, according to an email sent from Superintendent Brian Yearwood Thursday to families.

This test is a result of hearing students' pleas for increased safety against gun violence and a school walkout that was held last spring at Hickman.

In the email, Yearwood said that Hickman would again use the Evolv system which is meant to be non-intrusive. Evolv is a "touchless" weapons detection system that Columbia Public Schools demonstrated in April.

A representative for Evolv told ABC 17 in April the system is meant to detect weapons on people as they enter a building. It resembles a metal detector but uses AI programming to detect the density and size of materials that make up the slide or barrel of a gun.

Evolv has come from criticism from those who say the system isn't effective enough. The company told ABC 17 that the sensitivity can be adjusted to also scan for weapons such as knives, but there will be more false alarms with higher sensitivity.

According to Yearwood, the district hasn't committed to installing a system but it is still being considered in CPS high schools.

"The district has not committed to the installation of a system at this time; however, it is being considered for all comprehensive high schools in the district," Yearwood said in the letter. "Additionally, the district has been actively pursuing and discussing funding streams necessary to permanently implement a detection system."