Investigate Evolv scanners in our public schools!
Petition to Congress:
Public schools nationwide are using AI weapons detection systems, and serious concerns have been raised about the efficacy of at least one of the company's scanners. That company is Evolv Technology. I urge Congress to investigate Evolv and save more public school districts from wasting millions of dollars of public money on potentially faulty weapons scanners.
A company that sells weapons detectors is costing public schools millions of dollars, and according to reports in The Intercept, the detectors don’t even work.1
The Utica City School District installed $4 million worth of Evolv weapons scanners at entrances across 13 of its schools, then they had to replace them after the scanners let a knife into the school that led to a stabbing. It’s one of several instances of these scanners not working in Utica and other school districts.2 So that’s $4 million taken from our public schools and put into the pockets of a surveillance systems company in exchange for a product that doesn’t even meet its advertised function.
It’s time for Congress to step in and protect public schools from using valuable public education dollars on these Evolv scanners if they don’t work.
Sign the petition: Congress must investigate Evolv!
Given the rise in school shootings in recent years, districts are pursuing ways to keep schools safe. Millions cannot be spent on technology that doesn’t work. It’s a waste of our public education money.
Last month, a knife fight broke out between students at Mifflin High School in Ohio less than three months after the school district spent $3 million installing Evolv scanners.3 How?
If Congress doesn’t step in, 65 school districts using AI weapons scanners could become 650. And Congress cannot allow more school districts to waste millions on technology that falls short of what’s advertised. We need solutions that actually keep kids, teachers, and school staff safe.
Add your name: Congress must investigate Evolv and save public schools from wasting money on technology if it doesn’t work.
Sources:
- The Intercept, “Un-Alarmed,” May 7, 2023.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.