Maryland School District to Deploy Omnilert AI Active Shooter Solution

  • By Matt Jones
  • October 09, 2023

Baltimore County Public Schools in Baltimore, Md., recently announced that it will be installing a new active shooter solution across the district, according to a news release. The district will be partnering with active shooter and emergency notification solutions provider Omnilert to install the Omnilert Gun Detect platform across its 7,000 cameras, marking the largest deployment of AI visual gun detection in the country.

“We are pleased to have this new weapons detection system as part of our comprehensive approach to enhance school safety,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers. “Omnilert will be deployed in all BCPS schools this school year and we look forward to this new partnership as well as our continued work with local law enforcement to keep our students and staff safe and respond quickly and strategically when there is a serious incident in our schools.”

The district has a student population of more than 110,000 students in grades PreK–12, as well as more than 21,000 staff members, the news release reports. Omnilert Gun Detect features emergency notification system capabilities and can offer around-the-clock monitoring and a near-instant response if a firearm is detected. Across the district’s 176 schools, the AI-powered gun detection platform can identify potential firearms, verify the detections, and automatically initiate lockdown procedures like locking doors, sending alerts, and notifying law enforcement.

“Schools around the country are learning that it’s not enough to just detect and verify an active shooter, but rather it’s the automated response and mass communications that ultimately determines whether lives are lost or saved,” said Omnilert CEO Dave Fraser. "With a 20-year track record in emergency communications, we are proud to be the only AI visual gun detection company that can offer a complete solution and we look forward to helping Baltimore County Public Schools leverage our platform to keep its students and staff safe. This is the largest deployment of AI visual gun detection and the district should be commended on setting this strong example for other schools and organizations around the country to follow.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at MJones@1105media.com

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