Delaware
Weapons detection system approved for largest Delaware County school district
Upper Darby schools to install weapons detection system
The largest school district in Delaware County is going high-tech with a new security system designed to keep students safe.
UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Delaware County’s largest school district is going high-tech with a new security system designed to keep students safe and weapons out of school.
The Upper Darby School Board unanimously voted to approve the purchase of a $1.1 million weapons detection system for three of its district’s secondary schools.
The Evolv system uses artificial intelligence to scan for all kinds of weapons. The system is being used in some of the biggest concert and sporting venues in the world, including Citizen’s Bank Park.
“I am asking you please, please put the kids and the staff’s safety first,” said one parent, addressing the school board.
Two recent incidents in particular prompted the board to re-examine the proposal of a new system designed by the Massachusetts technology company. School administrators say in the first week of classes one student brought a gun to school and, in a separate incident, another student brought an ammunition magazine from a semi-automatic rifle.
Administrators say the system is much faster and more effective than traditional metal detectors.
“This is more, I would say, user-friendly. Similar to what you find at sporting venues. Making sure specific metals or what appears to be a gun are ruled out of being in a venue” said Upper Darby School Superintendent, Dr. Daniel McGarry.
The company says Evolv can scan up to 2,000 people an hour. The security lanes staffed by school administrators will soon be installed at Upper Darby High School, Upper Darby Middle School and Beverly Hills Middle School.
But, not everyone is on board with the plan. Some parents are worried their schools will look more like prisons.
“Have you looked at any studies on the potential negative impact on our psychologically vulnerable children?” asked one parent.
“I don’t believe treating the entire community of children like potential criminals is the best way to address their ongoing education,” added another parent, addressing the board.
But most parents who spoke applauded the measure, citing the recent incidents and school shootings around the country. Some called it a sobering sign of the times as the board unanimously voted to approve the expenditure.
“The sole intent here is to protect kids, save lives and make sure nobody is in harm’s way,” said McGarry.
The Evolv system should be installed in schools within four to six weeks.
Delaware
Local police departments earn state accreditation
The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recently announced that the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department have both earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission.
As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive, on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members.
“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware. The initial state accreditation of these police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security secretary and DPAC chair.
Delaware
DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc
Dover, Del. – Three farms, one from each of Delaware’s counties, were inducted into the Century Farm Program by the state Department of Agriculture on Thursday at the Delaware Agricultural Museum.
Each of the family farms has been owned and operated for at least a century. Each received a sign for their farms, an engraved plate and legislative tributes.
In addition to Secretary of Agriculture, Don Clifton, and Deputy Secretary Jimmy Kroon, state Senators David Wilson (R – District 18) and Kyra Hoffner (D – District 14) were also in attendance.
Wright Family Farms are located in Harrington in Kent County. In 1919, the farm was purchased by William Wright. Over a century later, William’s grandson, Ronald, is the owner and his great-grandson, Greg, said he hopes to continue the family legacy by buying the farm from his father.
Although the event celebrated each family for their hard work and resilience, it also highlighted the challenges farmers have to surmount to stay in business today, let alone for a hundred years.
“The price of equipment, the price of fertilizer, the price of seed, everything is just gone up,” Greg said. “So, you know, everything’s going up that we gotta purchase just to stay in business.”
Clifton, Kroon and Wilson also echoed difficulties in balancing the need to preserve agricultural land with the need to develop housing and sustainable energy projects like solar power.
“I know housing is very important, and we want people to always have good housing, but at some point, I think you’re going to saturate the area with more houses than you have food to feed these people,” Wilson said.
Kroon also said there are difficulties in keeping future generations motivated to stay in farming.
“When you think about it in the context of multi-generational farm families, there’s a real long-term challenge where a new generation may think twice about whether they want to keep farming if it’s always a struggle,” he said.
Clifton said farming has always been a challenging way of life, but it has been so since time immemorial.
“These families, their experience shows that they have an appreciation for the way of life and perseverance and that’s to be honored and emulated to the greatest extent possible,” he said.
Greg said he hopes to pass down the way of life so that his family legacy can live on for another hundred years, as well as for other families.
“A hundred years as the same family tilling the land, that’s, you know, that’s an honor right there,” Greg said. “And I hope that more farmers who are close to 100 years old will be doing the same thing. You know, keep it in the family.”
Delaware
Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River
An investigation is underway after police said a man’s body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.
According to police, around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, emergency responders pulled an unidentified man from the Delaware River, near the Navy Yard. Medic’s pronounced the man dead at 9:11 a.m.
Léelo en español aquí.
SkyForce10 flew above as police and other first responders were on the scene.
NBC10
NBC10
Police are working to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify the man.
This is a developing story; check back here for updates.
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