News Photo by Temi Fadayomi A newly purchased vape detector is held up by Alpena Public Schools Director of Communications Lee Fitzpatrick as it will be set up when installed.

ALPENA — Alpena Public Schools is looking to start installing vape detection devices in both its high school and junior high buildings in the hopes of cracking down on vaping on school grounds.

Vaping as a minor is illegal under Michigan Compiled Law Section 722.642, and can come with community service time ranging from 16 to 48 hours, depending on the number of offenses.

Vaping on School grounds is also in violation of the APS’s drug and alcohol policy and can result in a minimum of a suspension with the recommendation of expulsion and a maximum of an expulsion.

“Vaping has been an issue in both buildings,” said APS Director of Communications Lee Fitzpatrick when asked about what motivated APS’s interest in the new vape detection devices. “We care about our kids. We hope that these devices can help provide them with a better learning environment.”

The vape detectors that the school is looking to install were manufactured by Verkada and work by checking the air quality in its area for vape residue. Upon discovery of vape residue, the devices send out a silent email or text message to those on its response list.

In addition to being able to detect vape residue, the new devices can detect changes in humidity, temperature, and noise level. They can also alert those on the response list when they are being tampered with.

The new devices have already been purchased and approved by the board. All that remains is installment and staff training.

APS is hoping to have the devices installed before the end of the school year.