Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: The Atlantic High School campus in Port Orange, Florida, where advanced-technology metal detectors were used for the first time on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. LEFT: The "Evolv Expedite" is an X-ray machine with a conveyor belt through which backpacks or bags are fed, similar to airport security systems. If a firearm or knife is detected, operators are alerted. The system processes up to 2,000 individuals per hour on-site. BELOW: Volusia County Sheriff promotes an advanced metal detection system on the school campus.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was on camera promoting himself today at Atlantic High School, where the Volusia County School District launched the first metal detector pilot program using artificial intelligence.
This is the first step in rolling out the program to all VCSD high schools in the 2025-'26 school year.
“For us, if the weapon gets on campus, we lost," Chitwood said on camera, introducing Evolv Technology without explaining how it works.
"And that’s the objective here, to prevent that weapon from getting on campus - through the technology we have here, through our apps online to notify us of tips coming in," Chitwood said. "It’s everybody’s job to keep our students and our staff safe."
Chitwood failed to provide information on how it worked or associated costs. The elected sheriff did not respond to an email inquiry for additional information.
Chitwood has frequently used the vast financial recourses of his elected office to promote himself on camera at the expense of young kids - some as young as 11 - caught up in verbal school threats, with perp walks on camera, their faces shown, and their full names disclosed despite the fact they have not engaged in violent physical acts. Many are on full display on Chitwood's Facebook page.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has frequently used the vast financial recourses of his elected office to promote himself on camera at the expense of judges, city and county leaders, reporters, and especially young kids and their parents - some as young as 11 - humiliating children with perp walks on camera, their faces shown, and their full names disclosed on his Facebook pages despite the fact they have not engaged in violent physical acts.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has frequently used the vast financial recourses of his elected office to promote himself on his agency's own video cameras or in front of TV cameras at the expense of judges, city and county leaders, reporters; and especially young kids and their parents - some as young as 11 - humiliating handcuffed and shackled children with perp walks on camera, their faces shown, and their full names disclosed on his Facebook pages despite the fact they have not engaged in violent physical acts.
"Mike Chitwood showing up on camera for this metal technology unveiling was so clearly obvious for his own benefit and ego so he can look like he's proactive when he's not," a trusted source in law enforcement told Headline Surfer on condition his name be withheld for fear of reprisal. "It's all about him looking good, looking tough, and talking tough."
The artificial intelligence metal detector machines are planned for installation at the entrances of all Volusia County high schools in the 2025-'26 school year. The district did not immediately disclose the cost.
The "Evolv Expedite" is an X-ray machine with a conveyor belt through which backpacks or bags are fed, similar to airport security systems. If a firearm or knife is detected, operators are alerted. The system processes up to 2,000 individuals per hour on-site.
According to Evolv, more than 1,100 schools nationwide use the security system, which detects more than 500 firearms daily. The tech company claims that about 700,000 students and visitors are screened daily.
About the Headline Surfer Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008, which serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando via