DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County School District added new security measures to stadiums in hopes of making football players and fans safer this season.
11Alive got a firsthand look at the weapons detection systems at Godfrey stadium, just one of the stadiums equipped with the systems. DCSD said the Evolv Express weapons detection system is already being used at 41 middle and high schools across the district.
As of last week, DCSD reported it is also at five of the football stadiums, as well as six other high school programs and centers. DCSD said it is also at the district’s main headquarters.
The DCSD police chief said the system is designed to be effective, allowing people to pass through quickly without emptying their bags or pockets.
"If the system alerts on someone, there is a screen that will be watched by an attendant. That person will know exactly where on that person’s body the system is alerting," said Chief Tracey Whaley. "That person will be stopped and be asked to walk back through. We always have one of our police officers, one of our SROs, by to assist."
Whaley said the systems have been in place for about a week.
"And we’ve had no incidents thus far," said Whaley. "It’s there to let everyone know our games are safe, as well as a deterrent to let people know that we don’t let weapons in our stadiums."
In addition to the security systems, Chief Whaley said DCSD will still enforce its clear bag policy.