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Vallejo City Unified School District Pilots New Security System at Jesse Bethel High School and Vallejo High School Athletic Events

Vallejo City Unified School District Pilots New Security System at Jesse Bethel High School and Vallejo High School Athletic Events

VCUSD to pilot new safety equipment at Jesse Bethel High School and Vallejo High School athletic events.

Vallejo City Unified School District Pilots New Security System at Jesse Bethel High School and Vallejo High School Athletic Events
Vallejo City Unified School District Pilots New Security System at Jesse Bethel High School and Vallejo High School Athletic Events

VALLEJO, Calif. - The Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) is committed to ensuring the safety of its students, staff, and community. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance campus security, the district is piloting a new safety system at Jesse Bethel High School and Vallejo High School’s Corbus Field and Bottari Gym. The Evolv system will begin operation the week of Oct. 21, providing an additional layer of security during school hours, football games at Corbus Field, and basketball games at Bottari Gym.

The Evolv Express system will be rolled out at Jesse Bethel High School on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Corbus Field will begin using it during the football game on Friday, Oct. 25.

This innovative system allows visitors to pass through an open-air kiosk equipped with sensor technology to scan for weapons quickly. Using extremely low frequency (ELF) radio waves—similar to those found in in-store anti-theft devices—the system can detect dangerous items in bags and pockets without requiring individuals to remove their belongings. The real-time scans ensure minimal delays at entry. If a potential threat is detected, the system will alert staff with a red light, and a tablet will display a photo of the person with a red box around the detected item. A trained staff member will then check the specific area indicated.

"This pilot program is an important step toward creating an even safer environment for our students and staff," VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said. "We are always exploring new ways to improve safety, and this system adds another layer of protection without disrupting the school day. We aim to make everyone feel secure while maintaining a welcoming and efficient campus atmosphere."

The minimally invasive procedure allows most students and visitors to walk through seamlessly, without disruption. Trained staff will be on hand to oversee the process. VCUSD encourages parents to inform students about the new system to prepare them for next week's change.

To reduce the chances of false alerts, VCUSD recommends the following guidelines for families:

  • Choose plastic school supplies rather than metal when possible.
  • Be aware that metal containers, such as Altoid tins or metal pencil cases, may trigger alerts.
  • Opt for plastic-spine/ring (non-metal) three-ring binders.
  • Use BPA-free plastic water bottles instead of metal ones.
  • Choose non-metal-reinforced eyeglass cases.
  • Encourage students to “pack light” and limit the number of items in their bags.
  • Leave non-essential metal items at home, such as game consoles, beauty products, and backup USB drives.
  • Laptops will be handled separately at a staffed table.

This is a free, one-year pilot program, and the district will evaluate its effectiveness before deciding whether to use it in the future.

For more information or with any questions about Evolv, please contact evolvpilot@vcusd.org. VCUSD welcomes community feedback as it enhances safety measures across its campuses.