Angleton ISD Deploys AI Tech to Spot Guns, Alert Police Instantly

UPDATE: Angleton Independent School District (ISD) is revolutionizing school safety with cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology that identifies firearms and alerts police in mere seconds. As gun violence becomes the leading cause of death for children and teens, this urgent advancement aims to protect students and provide peace of mind to parents.

The AI software, developed by ZeroEyes, continuously scans existing school security cameras for visible weapons. If a firearm is detected, alerts are dispatched to law enforcement within three to five seconds. This proactive approach is crucial in a climate where over 60% of school shootings occur outside of school buildings before escalating indoors.

“As a parent, that is such a weight off of our shoulders,” said parent Dana Ernst, whose children attend Angleton ISD. She expressed her concerns about school safety, especially following the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School, located just a short distance from her home. Ernst has taken additional safety measures, such as purchasing bulletproof shields for her children’s backpacks, highlighting the emotional toll these threats have on families.

Angleton ISD has implemented ZeroEyes’ technology for the past three to four years, according to assistant superintendent for student services, Robert Munoz. This integrated system is designed to detect lethal threats in real time, using pre-existing cameras in schools. When a threat is identified, images are sent to a 24/7 operations center staffed by trained military and law enforcement professionals who verify the situation instantly.

“If it’s a real threat, we get text messages and snapshots of what the person looks like, what they’re wearing, and their location,” Munoz explained. This real-time tracking capability allows law enforcement to plan their response effectively.

In a recent incident at another Texas elementary school, the system successfully detected three individuals attempting to enter the building with an AK-47. Law enforcement was quickly dispatched and apprehended the suspects, underscoring the technology’s effective response capabilities.

While Munoz acknowledges that it is impossible to prevent every mass shooting, he emphasized that the AI system is making a significant difference in school safety. “This technology is helping us every week,” he affirmed.

Sam Alaimo, co-founder of ZeroEyes, stated that the swift response facilitated by their system is critical. “Our goal is to detect the gun before it reaches metal detectors or any barriers,” Alaimo said, highlighting the importance of early detection in thwarting potential attacks.

The system has already identified countless weapons, though the exact number of prevented attacks remains unclear. The priority is clear: spotting weapons early enough to act can save lives.

As schools across the nation grapple with the sobering reality of gun violence, Angleton ISD’s innovative use of AI technology stands as a beacon of hope, aiming to keep students safe while providing reassurance to anxious parents.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and more schools consider adopting similar lifesaving measures.