Two Anaheim high schools are taking a high-tech approach to combat vaping on campus with the installation of new sensors designed to detect vape use. Cypress High School and Loara High School have both added vape-sensing detectors to restrooms and locker rooms as part of the Anaheim Union High School District's initiative. According to KTLA, the equipment will be able to identify vape smoke or aerosol attempts to conceal vapor.
The decision to install the detectors followed unanimous approval by school board members at a March 6 board meeting, and the detectors come with an annual cost of $75,120 for the first year, which covers equipment, software, installation, and taxes for both schools, as reported by Voice of OC. After the first year, the ongoing annual expense will drop to $4,023 for both institutions. Notably, the report released by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated a decrease in vaping among young people nationwide.
The HALO sensors selected by the district can "differentiate between vaping, vaping with THC, and intentionally masking vaping behavior by using aerosols to cover up vaping," AUHSD spokesperson John Bautista told Voice of OC. These sensors are integrated with the schools' security systems, but they do not include cameras to avoid violating privacy laws. Instead, they can alert staff via an app to vape detection, as well as other incidents, such as noise indicating arguments or fights, as per information from NBC Los Angeles.
Assistant Superintendent Jaron Fried noted the preventative nature of the technology. "It’s not just something to reduce vaping in terms of catching, but ideally, it’s more proactive in preventing folks from doing it," Fried mentioned in a board meeting. These measures, which include Red Ribbon Week and an Alternative to Suspension program designed to encourage healthier choices, augment existing security cameras that monitor exterior activities to help identify students in the event of an incident.
Cypress and Loara High Schools are currently piloting the sensors before any further districtwide deployment. The district continues to evaluate the program, with future installations contingent on successful pilot outcomes and available funding, as highlighted by the Voice of OC article. Anaheim Union High has executed a pre-existing contract with Blue Violet Networks for the purchase process, ensuring quick implementation of this new safety measure aimed at maintaining a smoke-free and secure school environment.
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