Most campuses do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a broader community like a town, a borough, a city, a county, or a state. As such, there are a host of external resources available to help them through a crisis: from emergency responders such as police, EMTs and firefighters to mental health counselors, local emergency management departments, and media outlets.
- By Dean Cunningham
- September 03, 2024
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security Safety Act Designation, and Raptor Technologies, the leading provider of school safety software, today announced their system technology integration partnership to enhance emergency response and school safety. The companies unveiled their first joint customer, Angleton Independent School District (ISD), which has successfully adopted ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and situational awareness software integrated directly with the Raptor Alert silent panic alert technology systems.
Omnilert, a provider of active shooter solutions, today announced that Sarasota County Schools in Florida is deploying its Omnilert Gun Detect system to monitor over 4,800 security cameras throughout the entire school district, representing the largest deployment of its kind in Florida aimed at thwarting the presence of weapons on school campuses. Omnilert Gun Detect is the most effective and complete AI visual gun detection system available today – providing 24/7 monitoring with a near-instant response at the first sight of a gun with rich automation capabilities that can lock doors, notify police and trigger alarms to ensure the best possible outcomes in the event of an active shooter incident.
Laton Unified School District (LUSD) is a K-12 school district in Laton, Calif, located just south of Fresno in California's Central Valley. LUSD is comprised of four schools that serve about 700 students total. It's campus includes a preschool, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. As a small district with limited resources, LUSD was struggling to maintain its aging surveillance infrastructure across the district schools. Video cameras are a vital component of keeping students and faculty safe, yet the cost to maintain these systems was prohibitive.
- By Steve Prodger
- August 28, 2024
An overwhelming majority (96%) of parents in the United States support a mandate requiring schools to share security cameras with 911 Communications Centers during emergencies, according to a survey of K-12 parents. A federal mandate was preferred by 56% of parents, 29% wanted a community-level requirement, and 11% favored a school district mandate.
Mobile credentials, or the use of smartphones or other mobile devices to access secure areas, are increasingly considered as an alternative to traditional keycards and ID badges in schools. However, while mobile credentials offer several advantages, such as convenience and cost savings, there are also potential drawbacks to their use. To help aid schools in improving safety measures, let us explore the pros and cons of using mobile credentials for school safety and explain why it is important to always have multiple options in place.
Back in June, the NEA and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund released a School Gun Violence Prevention and Response Guide. And anyone involved in campus safety should make sure to read the entire report.
- By Brent Dirks
- July 19, 2024
Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities.
- By Drew Pacino
- July 18, 2024
The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings.
- By Ross Seeley
- July 17, 2024
Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems.
- By Bruce Canal
- July 16, 2024
The "I Love U Guys" Foundation, a national non-profit organization that operates programs and trainings to standardize crisis response programs across schools, districts, departments, agencies and organizations, will host its upcoming National School Safety Briefings Symposium on September 5-6, 2024 at Verkada's San Mateo, California headquarters.
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security Safety Act Designation, and Aegix Global, a Utah-based provider of industry-leading safety and personal protection resources technology, today announced that they have successfully deployed ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and situational awareness software in more than 200 Utah schools.
Texas-based Garrett Metal Detectors – in partnership with DVS Solutions – announced that its new Paragon walk-through metal detector (released 2023) attained a significant competitive victory in a bid for security upgrades for Memphis Shelby County Schools. More than 160 Paragons were installed across 100 or more ISD locations over the last month.
Critical Response Group (CRG), a provider of critical incident mapping data, announced recently that it has partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the nation’s third-largest school district, to implement cutting-edge critical incident mapping technology across the District’s 573 schools
With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available.
- By Jeremy Saline
- July 15, 2024
Knightscope Inc. recently announces a new contract for its K1 Emergency Communication Devices (“ECDs”) in Texas in addition to a renewal of its full service maintenance agreement with the city of Mountain View, California, Knightscope’s hometown, for their network of emergency phones.
The former Uvalde school police chief and another former school officer were both indicted Thursday over their role in the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting. That’s according to the Associated Press.
Metrasens, a provider of advanced detection systems for security and safety applications, recently announced its selection by the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) in bolstering safety measures for graduation ceremonies and extracurricular events.
Omnilert, provider active shooter solutions, today announced that it has integrated Omnilert Gun Detect with the Hanwha Vision Wisenet WAVE video management software (VMS) to provide a complete solution for gun violence and active shooters that can help saves lives in the event a gunman comes onto a customers' facilities.
Mission Critical Partners (MCP) announced completion of the first phase of a project to modernize the land mobile radio system used by the Carnegie Mellon University police department.
Grant funding is now available to improve safety measures in educational institutions, specifically K-12 schools. The School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) stands out among these opportunities. It provides federal grants to improve security at K-12 schools. This year up to $73M in funding is available.
Today, Convergint celebrates its 23rd Annual Convergint Social Responsibility Day, as nearly 10,000 colleagues across 220 global locations have the opportunity to spend the workday giving back to their local communities. This year’s efforts have resulted in a total payroll donation of more than $3 million and more than $500,000 in labor and equipment donations from Convergint colleagues, partners, and families. Additionally, 400 colleagues and partners will help complete the company’s largest STEP Up project to-date for the Douglas County School District in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Campus Security Today is pleased to announce the 2024 Secure Campus Award winners. Twenty-six companies are being recognized this year for products that help keep education and business campuses safe.
ZeroNow, the coalition of industry, nonprofit and education leaders dedicated to safer schools, announced today that ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, has joined the alliance as an Industry Partner.
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, and Stonemont Security Solutions, a leading provider of security systems and services, today congratulated Iowa, Kansas and Missouri state legislatures for passing landmark school safety and security funding bills in recent weeks.
Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc., is pleased to announce significant enhancements in the performance and reliability of its firearm detection AI analytics. These improvements will be incorporated into RAD’s popular line of security devices, including ROSA™, RIO™, AVA™, and RADDOG™, and will begin shipping in June.
The Security Industry Association (SIA) has recognized Camden Dalrymple as the 2024 winner of the SIA School Safety Advocate Award. This award is presented to individuals that have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advancing legislation, standards, public policies or other initiatives that encourage the effective use of technology solutions and procedures to enhance school security and safety. Dalrymple was recognized with the award at the 2024 SIA GovSummit conference.
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced that its proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution will be deployed by Michigan’s Olivet Community Schools to protect students and faculty against gun-related violence. The school was approved for the State’s dedicated grant funding, enabling Olivet to implement ZeroEyes.
Public anxieties about school safety are escalating across the country. According to a 2023 Gallup report, 44% of parents fear for their child’s physical safety at school, a 10 percentage-point increase since 2019. Unfortunately, these fears are likely to increase if the incidence of school tragedies continues to mount. As a result, school leaders are now charged with two non-negotiable responsibilities. The first, as always, is to ensure kids have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Sadly, their second responsibility is to keep the children in their care safe from threats and physical danger.
- By Jason Russell, Ron Boezwinkle
- May 16, 2024
In a perfect world, every school would have an unlimited budget to help secure their schools. In reality, schools must prioritize what budget they have while navigating the complexities surrounding school security and lockdown