Oregon K–12 District Adopts ZeroEyes Gun Detection Platform
- By Matt Jones
- January 27, 2023
Klamath Falls City Schools in Klamath Falls, Oregon, recently announced its decision to implement ZeroEyes’ A.I.-based gun detection platform to improve campus safety district-wide, according to a news release. The solution holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act Designation, and it will be used on top of the district’s existing security cameras to identify weapons and send alerts to local law enforcement and other authorized personnel. The district consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and an alternative high school, the news release reports.
“My top priority is the security of our students and faculty, which is why our district is one of Oregon’s foremost school safety leaders,” said Klamath Falls City Schools Superintendent Keith Brown. “From the moment I witnessed ZeroEyes’ innovative security solution in action, I knew it would be a game-changer for our community. With ZeroEyes, we can preemptively protect our schools and respond quickly in the event of a gun-related emergency. Together, we can ensure that our schools are a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive.”
The A.I.-based video analytics platform can send notifications as quickly as 3–5 seconds after detecting a potential firearm, according to the news release. Detections are verified by a team of former U.S. military and law enforcement specialists from within an in-house ZeroEyes Operations Center, and the technology itself has been trained to detect weapons, not people. Specialists can provide additional information to first responders (such as the gunman’s appearance and location) or de-escalate the response in the event of a false detection.
“The recent increase in gun-related violence nationwide has made it critical for schools to have a robust security plan in place,” said ZeroEyes CEO and co-founder Mike Lahiff. “Klamath Falls City Schools has taken a proactive approach to ensuring the safety of students and staff by implementing a multi-layered security strategy, including ZeroEyes technology. We are honored to be a part of this effort and look forward to working closely with the district to keep their schools safe and secure.”