Fall River subcommittee refers emergency purchase of bathroom vape detectors after Talbot pilot

The Fall River City Technology Subcommittee on June 5 referred an emergency purchase of bathroom vape‑detection sensors to the full school committee after members heard results from an eight‑month pilot at Talbot Middle School.

The devices, installed in a Talbot bathroom during the trial, detect vape, smoke or steam and send text or email alerts to school staff when readings pass preset thresholds. "It just basically looks for any sign of vape, smoke, steam, anything," said Mister Cabral, the district's chief information officer, describing the product and how alerts triggered a security response during the pilot.

The subcommittee's referral is meant to allow a faster contract decision so devices could be in place for the fall, pending delivery. Cabral said the vendor offers state contract pricing through ENE and a five‑year licensing model that includes overnight replacement and a vendor warranty; tariff delays have…