PORT ARANSAS, Texas — The Port Aransas Independent School District has implemented artificial intelligence gun detection technology as part of its ongoing efforts to improve campus safety and security.
The district has partnered with ZeroEyes, a company that uses AI technology in security cameras to identify weapons on or around school campuses. The service was founded in 2018 following the Parkland school shooting that left 17 people dead.
“Every second counts,” said Officer Brett Boyer, school resource officer for Port Aransas ISD and father of four children who attend the district’s school.
Boyer said the technology provides crucial early warning capabilities that can make a significant difference in emergency response.
“It gives me a few extra seconds to respond to threats,” Boyer said.
The ZeroEyes system works by using AI technology built into existing security cameras to detect firearms. When a weapon is identified, the ZeroEyes team immediately verifies the threat from one of its monitoring centers. After confirmation, they alert school officials and local law enforcement to enable a rapid response.
Dr. Sharon McKinney, Port Aransas ISD Superintendent, highlighted the district’s proactive approach to safety.
“It’s about protecting this environment and this culture that we have here, of being prepared and not being paranoid,” McKinney said.
ZeroEyes co-founder Sam Alaimo shared an example of the system’s effectiveness from a Texas elementary school who requested anonymity. In this incident, three individuals approached the campus and pulled an AK-47 from a bag as they attempted to enter the building.
“Three individuals came out, took an AK-47 out of a bag and tried to get in. Fortunately, this school had the double doors locked and not opened to let air circulate like other schools do,” Alaimo said. “When I show you this image of the AK-47, I can’t say we stopped a mass shooting because it didn’t happen. I can never prove it.”
When asked if the technology could have prevented the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, Alaimo acknowledged the limitations while pointing out the system’s track record.
“I can’t answer explicitly and say yes, we would have stopped it, but I can say that on a weekly basis we recover guns well before they are fired in very similar situations,” Alaimo said.
School officials acknowledge that AI gun detection is not a complete solution but represents progress in school safety measures.
Boyer explained how technology improves its ability to respond to potential threats on campus.
“It gives me a clearer idea of where the situation is coming from. If I’m on one side of the building and something happens on the other end of the building, I’ll never know until the inevitable. This system tells me almost instantly,” Boyer said.
This implementation comes as school districts across the country continue to seek innovative approaches to campus safety in response to ongoing concerns about school security.
Port Aransas ISD officials say the technology is already being implemented and should be operational within the next three months.
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