New Mexico Junior College Expands AI Gun Detection Deployment
The institution extends its partnership with ZeroEyes to enhance campus safety and situational awareness through veteran-verified gun detection.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- March 03, 2026
New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) has expanded its deployment of artificial intelligence-based gun-detection technology, extending a multi-year initiative to bolster security for its 2,400 students and 300 faculty and staff members. The decision to increase coverage follows a successful three-year period using the ZeroEyes platform.
The system integrates with the college’s existing digital security cameras to identify exposed firearms. When a weapon is detected, the software transmits images to an operations center staffed 24/7 by U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. If a threat is confirmed, these experts notify local law enforcement and campus security within seconds, providing visual descriptions and the shooter’s last known location.
“Since its implementation, non-lethal, real-time alerts from ZeroEyes for items such as toy guns or training equipment during academy exercises have reassured us of our proactive approach to maintaining a secure, student-centered campus environment,” said Dennis Kelly, director of public safety programs at New Mexico Junior College.
The expansion comes as educational institutions nationwide increasingly adopt layered security technologies. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly all public schools now utilize some form of electronic access control, and the use of security cameras has become standard practice in higher education to mitigate the risk of campus violence.
Located in Hobbs, NMJC serves as a vital hub for workforce development and public safety training in a rural region of nearly 50,000 residents. The college utilizes the AI detection platform alongside traditional security measures, including physical access control systems and direct coordination with local police departments.
The technology used by NMJC is the first AI-based gun detection platform to receive the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act Designation, a certification created to encourage the development of anti-terrorism technologies. By utilizing human-in-the-loop verification, the system aims to reduce false positives that can lead to unnecessary campus lockdowns.
“This expansion reinforces our shared commitment to keeping students, faculty, and staff safe while supporting NMJC’s mission of fostering learning, public safety, and workforce readiness,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes.
The college, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, continues to prioritize campus safety as part of its core mission of providing an accessible and effective learning environment for the community.