April 18, 2025 — The safety of Cobb students and staff is—and will always be—the Cobb County School District’s top priority. That’s why Cobb Schools continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies and highly trained professionals—on staff and through partnerships—all working together to strengthen what the District calls the Cobb Shield. 

Prevention First: Stopping the Crisis Before It Starts

Cobb’s partnership with Servius reflects the District’s forward-thinking commitment to preventing crises before they happen, not just responding once they occur. 

Unlike traditional security strategies that focus on reacting to threats, Servius brings the expertise of national intelligence community veterans to help the District stay “left of launch,” identifying and interrupting threats in their earliest stages. 

Servius is helping us anticipate risks and close safety gaps across our schools through data analysis, behavioral insights, and systemwide evaluations. 

From assessing physical security to tracking national trends like human trafficking, gang recruitment, and community violence, Servius equips Cobb with the kind of intelligence-driven tools once reserved for high-level federal operations. By examining issues like human trafficking, we’re not just identifying isolated risks—we’re uncovering how threats can reverberate through an entire community. When one student is in crisis, it impacts others, creating a ripple effect that touches classrooms, families, and school culture.

Layered Protection: Cobb Shield Strengthens the Safety Net for Every Student

Beyond the partnership with Servius, Cobb Shield is made up of multiple proactive systems designed to prevent and respond to potential threats. These tools include: 

• Vapor Wake Dogs: Detecting Danger in Motion Cobb’s Vapor Wake® dogs add an advanced layer of mobile protection to the District’s safety strategy. Unlike traditional K9s, these specially trained canines can detect airborne particles from explosives and firearms while in motion, continuously sampling the air and following vapor trails to their source. Used by top security agencies across the country, in addition to maintaining the safety and security of schools and events, Vapor Wake dogs build strong relationships with students and staff as a trusted part of the school community.
• Cobb Schools Police: Trusted and Experienced Cobb schools are protected by one of the largest and most experienced school police departments in Georgia. With 80dedicated officers averaging 26 years of service each—and more than 1,690 years of combined law enforcement experience—the Cobb Schools Police Department is highly trained to keep school campuses safe. These officers are not only experts in school-based policing; they are mentors, protectors, and trusted members of their school communities. And when a crisis occurs, they don’t hesitate—they run toward danger.
• Centegix CrisisAlert: Instant Help at the Push of a Button School staff are protected by their Centegix badge, the fastest and easiest way to call for help during an emergency. The system ensures rapid response to everything from medical emergencies to security threats, helping staff act confidently and quickly when every second matters.
• Always Available: Report Safety Concerns to the Vector Alert Tipline The Vector Alert Tipline provides the Cobb community with a 24/7, anonymous way to report any safety concern—by phone, email, text, or web. Whether bullying, suspicious behavior, or potential threats, students, staff, and families are encouraged to "See something, Say something" using this vital tool. It’s one of the many ways Cobb ensures no red flag goes unnoticed and every voice has a way to be heard.
• Evolv Weapons Detection: Safe and Swift Cobb uses the same advanced screening technology trusted by professional sports arenas, concerts, and other high-traffic venues. To protect entry points without slowing down student traffic, Cobb uses Evolv technology, a state-of-the-art weapons detection system, at some sports events.

Safety Seminar Now Digital to Serve All Families!

After being briefed about violence in other townhalls in our community, we have decided to postpone a series of educational seminars about school safety. The first, originally scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025, will be made available to all Cobb families and staff digitally - keep an eye on your inboxes and social media feeds. While not directly associated with our schools, intentional disruption and acts of violence do not allow for effective communication with you and have a significant impact on the well-being of our entire county. We have experienced disruptions during similar District events and look forward to a time when we can listen and learn together, safely. 

Cobb Shield: Safety Is Not a Slogan

Cobb Shield is not a single tool or one-time training—it is an evolving, layered, and research-driven approach to keeping students safe. From prevention to protection, every layer of Cobb Shield exists to keep students safe so they can learn, grow, and succeed. 

To learn more about the Cobb Shield, visit here.