Massachusetts High School Installs Gunshot Detection System

Massachusetts High School Installs Gunshot Detection System

Brockton High School in Brockton, Mass., has installed a gunshot detection system. The system is designed to give administrators and law enforcement a nearly-instant notification of the gunshot and its location.

Brockton High School in Brockton, Mass., has installed a gunshot detection system. The system is designed to give administrators and law enforcement a nearly-instant notification of the gunshot and its location.

A Brockton police officer fired a handgun in a small auditorium at the school during a Monday afternoon demonstration of the gunshot detection system’s abilities. Enterprise News reports that an alarm sounded throughout the school about five seconds later, a computerized voice that said “Active Shooter in Little Theater.” Police and administrators’ cellphones also went off with alerts about the gunshot.

The gunshot detection system, made by EAGL Technology, can cost $25,000 or more to install in a building, with sensors priced at $1,200 each.

Jennifer Russell, a vice president with EAGL, said the system alerts police of an active shooter in less time than it would take to call 911 and explain the situation. Russell said the system can save time—which can mean saving lives—in a school shooting incident.

“The idea is to take that out of human hands,” said Richard Cogliano, director of business development for CIT Integrated Technologies Inc., the local company that sells and installs the systems on the East Coast.

Cogliano said that if someone began firing a gun in a school, people would most likely focus on starting a lockdown and securing students before calling 911. If the caller is panicked, it might be unclear for the dispatcher as to what is happening.

Deputy Superintendent Michael Thomas said the city received the gunshot detection system for free because Cogliano is a Brockton High graduate and the company had been looking for a school on the East Coast where they could test the sensors. The city won’t have to pay annual subscription fees for at least three years, he said.

There are several sensors installed throughout the high school, including in the cafeterias, lobbies, gyms, auditorium and the Little Theater. The sensors, which are ceiling-mounted, run on batteries and can detect shots within a 100-foot radius.

Police Lt. Frank Vardaro, head of the school’s police, said every police officer in the city would be notified if the alarm sounded, as city officers could help respond if they happened to be close by. According to Vardaro, if the alarm went off, police would enter under the assumption that there was an active shooter, as opposed to a person attempting suicide or someone taking hostages.

Thomas said he was excited to try the system as Brockton works to stay ahead of the curve in terms of school security.

“This is just another tool in the toolbox we could use,” Thomas said. “But you hope you never have to use it.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now