Kenston Schools announced Jan. 13 they will be implementing ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence-based gun detection video platform, into the district to protect students, visitors, staff and teachers against the threat of guns in schools.
Kenston Schools announced Jan. 13 they will be implementing ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence-based gun detection video platform, into the district to protect students, visitors, staff and teachers against the threat of guns in schools.
ZeroEyes plugs into the school’s existing security system and tracks when a gun is brought into the building. If a gun is identified, the images are shared with the ZeroEyes Operations Center, which is staffed by military and law enforcement veterans, Kenston Schools said in a press release.
Experts housed in a 24/7/365 operations center, are able to communicate visual descriptions, gun type and the last known location to first responders and school staff in three to five seconds after the weapon is detected, officials said in the release, adding the program will also work in tandem with Kenston Schools resource officers.
“The safety and well-being of our students, staff and community within our buildings, grounds and vehicles is one of the most important and challenging responsibilities that we have as a school district,” Kenston Superintendent Bruce Willingham said in the release. “Student safety is vital to learning. We do our best every day to provide a safe environment for everyone we are entrusted with.”
Kenston marks the second school district in Geauga to use the program, with Berkshire Schools being the first district in Ohio to partner with ZeroEyes in 2022.
The program — funded by the 1-mill permanent improvement levy voters passed in November — is Kenston’s latest addition to a comprehensive, multi-layered range of security measures it’s taking to protect against gun-related violence, officials said in the release.
ZeroEyes received the Department of Homeland Security Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act Designation, according to the release.
“The SAFETY Act promotes anti-terrorism technologies and protects against the legal liability of a mass shooting,” the ZeroEyes website said.
“We believe that unobtrusive physical security is essential to fostering a setting where students feel protected,” CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes Mike Lahiff said in the release. “We commend Kenston local school district for its commitment to creating a positive, supportive and safe environment where students can focus solely on learning.”
The ZeroEyes program adds to the security measures Kenston Schools is taking to combat gun violence under the PI levy for their 2,500 students with 148 teachers.
